Watermark Issue 22.04: Love for a Lifetime

DaytOna Beach • OrlanDO • tamPa • st. PetersBurG • sarasOta • issue 22.04 • feBruary 12-25, 2015 • watermarKOnline.cOm

e:

D si G N in I 015 l R ia P E2 ec sP R S ID OU GU TS AR

Your lgbt life.

reaDers share their

LOVE A

VALENTINES FOR

LIFETIME

long-term relationships really can work! We found the couples to prove it and they share how it’s done

MELISSA MANCHESTER creDits lGBts fOr her career

DINING OUT FOR LIFE tO exPanD intO OrlanDO

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Thank you so much for breaking my heart because 23 I have four Grammys.

departmentS 6 // mail

PAGE

10 // orlando neWS 12 // tampa Bay neWS

—sam smith

16 // State 17 // nation & World neWS 35 // Community Calendar 37 // tampa Bay overheard 40 // tampa Bay marketplaCe 39 // orlando overheard 41 // tranSitionS 42 // orlando marketplaCe 46 // SportS

on the Cover

PAGE

PAGE

Jim Jablonski, left, and Bart Coyle are pictured in their Bradenton home and have spent 45 years together as a couple. In honor of Valentine’s Day, long term couples share their stories and the secrets to their longevity.

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31

Crying out loud:

The iconic Melissa Manchester has a new album out and a tour that brings her to Central Florida and Clearwater. Manchester credits LGBTs with her ongoing success and tells us how excited she is to see equality’s progress.

Watermark i SSue 22.04 //feBruary 12-25, 2015

orlando neWS

tampa Bay

artS+entertainment SportS

PAGE Dining Out For Life is

PAGE Tampa Pride is quickly

PAGE

Photo by Jake Stevens

SCan Qr Code for

Watermarkonline.Com

read it Online!

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

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coming to Orlando this year and it will benefit The Center; Randy Ross makes a plea deal in his fraud case; Patty Sheehan donates to LGBT youth scholarships; more.

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approaching and organizers are relying on grassroots effort to pull off the inaugural event without a hitch; Equality Florida will honor Kevin Beckner at its upcoming gala in Tampa, scheduled for Feb. 21.

Wordier Than Thou gives aspiring creative writers an outlet to showcase their work. After spending three years in Tampa Bay, the program is expanding into Orlando. Creator Tiffany Razzano talks about the program’s success.

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Former University of North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith passed away Feb. 7. Besides leading a phenomenal career on the basketball court, he was also a leader in civil rights issues, convincing his church congregation to welcome gay and lesbian ministers.

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the annual wave awarDs are quicKly aPPrOachinG anD vOtinG enDs feB. 13! vOte tODay at watermarKOnline.cOm.

watermark Your lgbt life.

Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

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feedback Community input needed

F 407-245-1166

519 North Mills Avenue Orlando, FL 32803

Dr. David Rice working with EOLA EYES

irst of all, thank you to Steve Blanchard for all he does in his articles. He is most honest and right to the point. And I agree with him on the new [St. Pete Pride] logo [Issue. 22.02].

I do think the [St. Pete Pride] board should get more input from the people of St. Pete. I know the board works very hard, but this logo is very important for all of our community.

Bill Lanham

Clearwater

2304

TOP WEB COMMENTS ALOMA & ST. ANDREWS

On the AP-GfK Poll about Americans favoring marriage equality:

On Watermark’s Facebook:

ROUGH N READY 2015 FORD F150

YES,

domestic partners CAN buy together!

“While it is discrimination, businesses have always had the legal right to refuse service to anyone. The problem comes when the business refuses service to an entire class of people.”

—Chuck Strom

“The way I see it, if you’re a government official, you serve everyone. Your personal/religious beliefs have no rights. If you’re a private business, if you don’t

“The problem comes when the business refuses service to an entire class of people.”

—Chuck Strom

want to serve me, fine, I will go to someone who does.”

—Tim Stahl

“I would support businesses asking for religious exemption so long as I get to quiz them on their actual religious behavior and ensure they are actually pious. If they break any religious rule (for example working on the Sabbath) we get to say nein!”

—Dave Natale

“Perhaps gay businesses and non-bigoted straight-owned businesses should form an equal opportunity coalition.

Maybe when those hateful businesses feel it in their pocketbook they will wake up and learn from their shortcomings.”

—Todd Spaw

“They’ve been serving same-gendered couples for as long as they’ve been in business. Good enough to take our money then, but now that we are recognized, it’s an issue? Complete and

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Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

total hypocrisy.”

—Kate Daughter On Oklahoma’s bill to allow ministers to refuse same-sex weddings:

At WatermarkOnline.com:

“Who cares, it’s a nonsense bill. Ministers already have the right to not marry anyone that does not conform to their beliefs.”

—Dean C

On Watermark’s Facebook:

“Again, separation of church and state is fine by me as long as the state and federal governments recognize it.”

—Robert Melanson “Who wants to be married by a bigot anyway?”

—Cyn Hanrahan McCollum

“Immunity? They don’t pay taxes, what more do they need?”

—Germaïne Rigg

editor’s

Steve Blanchard EDITOR

SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com

F

Desk

or the first time in, well,

ever, I actually care about Bruce Jenner.

Reality shows have never interested me and while I enjoy sports—especially the Olympics—I’m not fanatical about them.

I couldn’t tell you who won what in last year’s Sochi Winter Olympics, much less the Summer Olympics of 2012. And if it wasn’t for Google, I wouldn’t know to write this sentence explaining that Jenner won a 1976 Gold Medal in the decathlon.

But suddenly, Bruce Jenner is getting attention for something important. Something more important than television fame or a dusty Gold Medal with a date from three decades ago stamped on it. Jenner could be the next real face of Transgender America.

The is-he-isn’t-he patchwork of reporting on Jenner’s decision

watermark staff

to transition is shoddy, at best.

But an investigation following a recent, fatal car accident involving Jenner revealed that he is taking hormones, which would support the transition assumptions.

But he hasn’t said anything concrete yet. So until I read for sure there is a plan in the works for his transition, I will refer to Jenner with masculine pronouns.

Jenner, and the media so ready to pounce on his story, has a very real opportunity to educate the country in a way that can improve the lives of so many. If Jenner is transgender, he has the opportunity to share his story,

Founder and Senior Contributor: Tom Dyer • Ext. 305 • Tom@WatermarkOnline.com Publisher: 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 Editorial Assistant: Samantha Rosenthal • 104 • Samantha@WatermarkOnline.com Online Media Director: Jamie Hyman • Ext. 106 • Jamie@WatermarkOnline.com Proofreading: Ed Blaisdell

reveal his struggles and hopefully change a few thousand minds.

The media also has the chance to use his fame for a good cause rather than simply for ratings and heightened magazine sales.

As reality stars, people like Jenner lose a lot of the privacy so many of us take for granted.

But at the same time, those same stars have a captivated audience just waiting to hear from them.

And if it’s handled right, the opportunity can be life changing.

I am pleased that ABC’s Diane Sawyer was the reporter who landed the first, official interview with the Olympian. She has been a longtime advocate of LGBTs and will no doubt treat his story with the dignity and respect it deserves when it airs in May. The little bit I know of Jenner has me convinced that he is considering transitioning. But even if he isn’t, he can use his celebrity status to put a spotlight on a portion of our community that has only just started to step out from behind the shadow of gays and lesbians.

It’s true that gender identity is very different than sexual orientation. But that doesn’t mean the “LGB” can’t stand in support of the “T.” We can’t forget that while advances are made every day, so are discriminatory decisions.

Take, for example, the actions of Rep. Frank Artiles (R-Miami).

He introduced a bill that would require jail time for transgender individuals using bathroom facilities. Artiles, it seems, still believes that gender is about genitalia and genitalia only. He can argue all he wants that it’s about preventing anti-trans

crimes. But the wording of the bill just doesn’t support that point of view.

If passed, this bill would have the power to override any local nondiscrimination ordinances that includes gender identity and expression protections. It’s a step backward and a potential black eye for Florida, which is finally, slowly, on the right path to full equality for LGBTs. But back to Jenner.

As I listen to conversations about him and read stories “breaking” the news of his transition, I’m amazed by the number of comments directed at his physical appearance. Jenner was an incredibly handsome

Jenner has a very real opportunity to educate the country in a way that can improve the lives of so many.

athlete back in the 1970s (thank you, Google) and at 65 his looks have definitely changed.

But if he is transitioning, a drastic change in appearance is expected, right? You don’t go from Mark Walberg to Angelina Jolie within a matter of days— or even weeks.

Jenner’s popularity is at an all-time high these days, but he may lose a lot of that popularity if he comes out as transgender. And that is a shame.

But losing popularity doesn’t mean one necessarily loses influence. Who will forget the male athlete who transitioned into a woman? Very few.

And I, for one, am happy to jump on board the Bruce Jenner bandwagon.

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Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

Clarification In a story covering the "Vowed and Proud" event celebrating marriage equality in Orlando [Issue 22.02], we failed to mention the Metropolitan Business Association as an organizer of the celebration.

We regret the omission.

contributors Zach Caruso

is a musician and journalist from New Jersey who now lives in St. Petersburg. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and an M.A. in writing. Page 25

Stephen Miller

is a long-time Watermark contributor and author of Screened Out, our movie reviews column. He is also an Orlando playwright and business consultant. Pages 33 Greg Burton, Scottie Campbell, Zach Caruso, Susan Clary, Kirk Hartlage, Joseph Kissel, Ken Kundis, Mary Meeks, Stephen Miller, David Moran, Gregg Shipiro, Greg Stemm, Dr. Steve yacovelli, Jim Walker, Michael wanzie

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

distribution RJ Publishing, Lisa Jordan, Ken Caraway, David Krauss

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.

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7

orlando news

eduCation fund launCh to raiSe money for lgBt SCholarShipS

dinner bell:

In 2014, ASAP’s Jay Aller, left, and Georgie’s Alibi executive chef Joshua Meier greeted guests at the popular Kenwood Restaurant for Dining Out For Life. In 2015, the annual fundraiser for AIDS Service Organizations will arrive in Orlando and benefit The Center.

Samantha Lena Rosenthal

o

rlando | The Zebra Coalition is working to ensure LGBT students have the opportunity to access their education needs.

Zebra is launching their Education Fund at The Sanctuary Downtown Feb. 27 to kick off fundraising for the Jefferson R. Voss Education Fund for the Zebra Coalition Youth.

The event, sponsored by John Michael Weddings & Special Events and Savoy Orlando, offers the opportunity to learn about the fund and how to donate.

The event host committee met Jan. 13 to discuss strategies about ideas on who to contact, who to invite and networking ideas to help raise money for the scholarships. The fund is established to provide scholarships to LGBT students at UCF, community colleges, career and technical schools in surrounding counties, and for GED classes and testing.

“I am just overwhelmed with the support that people are giving,” Karen Castelloes, co-chair for the Jefferson R. Voss Education Fund for the Zebra Coalition Youth, said.

The host committee for the event consists of Zebra Coalition Director Dexter Foxworth, Public Relations Information Officer Community Relations and Marketing Orange County Government/Parks and Recreation Mandy Kimmer, Assistant Director for the UCF Nicholson School of Communication Boyd Lindsey, Director of Development Equality Florida Michael Farmer, HRC’s Southern Regional Field Director Joe Saunders, Independent Business Owner Regina Hellinger, Interim Assistant Vice President for Internationalization Angel Cardec, CoLeader Darden Pride Alliance Employee Resource Group Carole Conroy, Ron Johnson, Andrew Hellinger, Keith Morrison, Elliott Barber, Eva Krzewinski, Mark Wright, David Baldree and Brandon Llewellyn.

The committee’s UCF representative has begun creating a mentoring group that will be available to the Zebra Coalition Youth so that in addition to scholarship funds, they get the support they need all the way throughout their schooling.

“The impact it is going to make to youth in Central Florida is going to be phenomenal,” Castelloes said.

“We just feel that this is going to open doors and follow through with dreams to become a reality for these young people, and we are all just so excited for this opportunity.”

The host committee hopes to raise $25,000 Feb. 27. Their next event will be awarding the scholarships in August.

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PHOTO By STEvE BLAnCHARD

Time for charitable dining Dining Out for Life expands to Orlando Samantha Lena Rosenthal

o

rlando | After years of success in Tampa Bay, Dining Out for Life will make its way to the Orlando area this April with benefits from the day-long fundraiser going to The Center.

Dining Out for Life is an annual dining fundraiser event to raise money for AIDS service organizations. The event is annually put on throughout the nation, with the closest city in Central Florida participating being Tampa Bay and the money raised benefits the AIDS Service Association of Pinellas (ASAP).

Local restaurants register to donate a minimum of 25 percent of their gross food and beverage sales on the day of the event, or make a single contribution of $750 or more. Each restaurant is provided a volunteer ambassador that will invite potential customers to the restaurant for the event and also help at the restaurant on that day.

Dining Out For Life was created in 1991 by ActionsAIDS in Philadelphia, and is now an annual fundraiser in

watermark Your lgbt life.

more than 60 cities.

ASAP’s Resource Development Manager Jay Aller explained how this year the program was finally able to plan to expand to the Orlando area—a city with a big restaurant scene that could benefit from the event.

“The national organization that runs a Dining Out for Life approached us asking if we could branch out into Orlando, but because ASAP doesn’t have any presence in Orlando we didn’t want to raise money in Orlando and take it back to ASAP,” Aller said.

Aller said he is excited to see Dining Out For Life grow into the Orlando market, and added that The Center made sense as the benefitting organization here since it provides AIDS education, awareness and resources for the LGBT and local community.

“With Orlando having such a big restaurant scene and so many visitors, we’re excited that, through Dining Out for Life and the AIDS Service, we can get the message out there to get tested and that HIV/ AIDS is not over,” Aller said.

Last year, Tampa Bay’s Dining Out For Life featured 72

Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

dining locations in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties and raised $63,000.

One new feature that helped boost the fundraiser’s success in 2014 was the addition of food truck participants, Aller said.

Through the efforts from Maggie Loflin from Maggie on the Move and the Gulf to Bay Food Truck Association, Aller said ASAP benefited from three different food truck rallies—one in North St. Petersburg and one near Downtown St. Petersburg for lunch, and one in Tampa for dinner.

“It was very encouraging to see them [the Gulf to Bay Food Truck Association] getting involved,” Aller said.

Typically, Dining Out For Life boosts traffic through restaurants, which also boosts wait times. Not surprisingly, however, patrons rarely complain about the added wait.

“Waits are not necessarily a bad thing,” Aller said during a previous Dining Out For Life event. “It shows that people were paying attention to where their donations went that night. Ambassadors didn’t hear anyone complaining.”

In 2015, Aller has said he hopes to work with chain restaurants again, but to also expand his relationship with independent restaurant owners.

The event this year will fall on April 28 for both Tampa Bay and Orlando. For more information and registration for Orlando restaurants, visit DiningOutForLife.com/ TampaBay/Orlando-Registration.

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Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

9

orlando news

Orlando Commissioner donates to Pride, youth scholarships Jamie Hyman

O

rlando | City Commissioner Patty Sheehan is upping her investment in Orlando’s LGBT community and their youth.

Sheehan’s office has historically sponsored the Come Out With Pride parade with a $1,500 donation. This year, she decided to increase that amount to a $5,000 total donation, with $3,000 earmarked for LGBT youth scholarships. “[COWP organizers] were talking about how distressed they were that they haven’t been able to do the scholarships with the financial difficulties they’ve been having,” Sheehan said, referencing the financial struggles the organization has faced after a leadership shake-up in late 2014 which resulted in the firing of the

COWP executive director and an ongoing investigation into the organization’s finances.

“I think it’s really important that these scholarships are in the community, and I wanted to be able to help them out with that,” Sheehan said. “I think that’s an important thing to do in any community to recognize education and the youth.”

She said the money comes out of her office budget and its common practice for Orlando Commissioners to use those funds for scholarships for minorities.

“I’m glad to be able to do it,” Sheehan said. “Even though we’ve made a lot of strides in terms of marriage and everything else, there’s bullying, there are a lot of challenges LGBT youth are still struggling with. Anything we can do to help these kids is a good thing.”

Local personality Randy Ross makes plea deal in fraud case Jamie Hyman

O

rlando | Community activist Randy Ross has pled no contest to one count of insurance fraud after police accused him of falsely reporting about $30,000 in stolen lawn furniture in 2013.

His original charges were four felonies and a misdemeanor. Now, Ross is only on the hook for one second degree felony, according to his attorney, Roger Scott.

“He was placed on probation which can get finished within a year, he has 250 hours of community service and he has to pay for the investigation against him, a total of about $4,000,” Scott said. “This was a deal that everybody felt was fair, for the state and the defense.”

He added that this represents the end of the case.

“This is something that lets [Ross] move on with his life and is fair for everyone,” Scott said.

Scott called the charges a “misunderstanding” and said Ross “filed police reports for things that happened and things that really were stolen.”

“He was trying to recreate paperwork he didn’t have anymore,” Scott said. “He wasn’t trying to create anything false, just was trying to recreate something lost and you’re not allowed to do that.”

In 2014, Ross said Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell, who was an Orange County Commissioner at the time, didn’t do much in office except make babies and go on maternity leave. Ross has previously run two unsuccessful political campaigns.

Currently he’s working on a TV show called “Front Porch Chat with Randy Ross & Friends.”

Anti-gay lawsuit dismissed, appealed Jamie Hyman

A

n Orange County judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed

by Florida Family Action, a notorious anti-gay group that tried to stop the Orange County Clerk from issuing same-sex marriage licenses.

FFA filed an emergency alternative writ of mandamus Jan. 15 in the 9th Circuit Court of Orange County, asking a judge to command Orange County Clerk Tiffany Moore Russell “to perform her ministerial duty not to issue marriage licenses to samesex couples.”

Now that the initial lawsuit has been dismissed, the FFA appealed to the Fifth District Court of Appeals, according to a statement from the Orange County Clerk’s office.

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11

tampa bay news

kevin BeCkner to Be honored at eQfl tampa gala Staff Report

t

ampa | Equality Florida will present Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner with the 2015 Voice for Equality Award at the Ninth Annual Tampa Gala Feb. 21. The organization will recognize him for his leadership efforts in helping progress LGBT legislation in Hillsborough County.

Beckner was elected as the first openly gay person to hold office in Hillsborough County in 2008. Beckner, a couple months into holding office, introduced a domestic partner registry to the county, which was shot down by a 5-2 vote.

At Beckner’s request in 2014, the commission finally voted unanimously to approve a domestic partnership registry—which also failed in 2013—add gender identity and sexual orientation to its human rights ordinance and provide healthcare benefits to legal spouses and domestic partners of county employees.

Those changes, Beckner contends, came from approaching issues of equality from a business perspective. Many times, he found those businesses Kevin Beckner to be ahead of the government when it comes to LGBT issues.

“There was a lot of research and work and outreach within the business community,” Beckner told Watermark in late 2014. “It was a humbling experience.

I would talk to these businesses and ask about the importance of diversity and they’d look at me like, ‘Don’t you already get [the importance of diversity]?’ A lot of them laughed.”

With the support of the business community—90% of Fortune 500 companies support LGBT equality issues—Beckner was able to unite the Hillsborough County Commission on all three equality issues he presented last year.

It was through a similar strategy that he encouraged the board to reverse an earlier decision to prohibit Hillsborough County from participating in or recognizing LGBT Pride events.

At each gala in the state, Equality Florida recognizes a leader through its Voice of Equality Award. Beckner is expected to attend—an speak at—the Feb. 21 gala.

More than 600 people are expected to attend the Tampa Gala at the TPepin’s Hospitality Centre. Tickets can be purchased at EQFL.org/TampaGala, or call 813-870-3735.

12

proudly we wave:

Sponsorship flags for the inaugural Tampa Pride celebration are appearing at businesses throughout Tampa Bay. The flags are available for $100 at MC Film Festival in Ybor City.

PHOTO COuRTESy CARRIE WEST

a proud process Grassroots support continues to fuel Tampa Pride Greg Stemm

t

ampa | Tampa Pride president Carrie West has taken to calling the volunteers, businesses, organizations and government officials who are helping to produce the inaugural event his “grassroots brigade.” The new parade and street festival are scheduled for Saturday, March 28, in historic Ybor City.

West said Tampa Pride has about 200 signed up to volunteer at the event but needs about 100 more to make it happen. But he’s encouraged by the show of support.

“I showed up at the last meeting expecting a couple of dozen people and there were so many that it was standing room only,” he said. “I asked for a show of hands of those who were there and ready to volunteer and those who were just there for information. Almost everyone put their hand up to help. It was very uplifting.”

Because of the timing of the

watermark Your lgbt life.

event during the traditional spring break, West said his volunteers are sending promotional information to colleges and universities with the hope that LGBT college students will see a great opportunity to not only get some sun and surf, but also attend a Pride celebration as well. He also noted that there is a statewide Thespian conference scheduled in Tampa that weekend that has already booked about 6,800 rooms.

“Theatrical and artsy people?

Hello.....that means of lots of gay people too!” said West.

Several local hotels offer Pride discounts and the Marriott Westshore will even have a shuttle to the event. West said Tampa Pride’s board has reached out to the Pinellas County Convention and Visitors Bureaus so that those staying on the beach know about the nearby festivities.

So far, fundraising is going fairly well, West added, before saying that the board is anxiously awaiting payments from businesses who signed letters of intent in December.

The organization’s financial goal

Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

is to raise $128,000. He said at this point, through firm commitments and funds, Tampa Pride has in excess of $70,000. That’s enough to cover early expenses from the city.

Recently, the City of Tampa pledged $35,000 in in-kind services.

It was touch and go with the city because of a 2009 moratorium on new events. But West met personally with mayor Bob Buckhorn, who has been a consistent ally to the LGBT community. The meeting convinced the mayor that the new Pride event was good for area business and for Tampa’s image as it competes for economic development among Fortune 500 companies.

In fact, West mentions business and economic development over and over again.

“Tampa needs to be seen as a progressive big city that is diverse and welcoming to LGBT people,” said West. “The unfortunate years when we had a ban on gay pride events from the county commission was a real stain on our reputation. We need to show that we’ve changed and are ready to compete in attracting businesses to our area.

“Today’s companies want to locate in an area that is welcoming to all its employees.”

Things really have changed.

West says that in addition to a Proclamation from the City of Tampa, organizers plan to have a proclamation from the Hillsborough cOntinueD On PG. 14 | uu |

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Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

13

tampa bay news

partnership: (L-R) Tampa Pride board members Michael Wilson, Kurt

King, Carrie West and Mark Bias stand with Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn shortly after the city agreed to co-sponsor the March. 28 event. PHOTO COuRTESy CARRIE WEST

| uu | tampa Pride frOm PG.12

County Commission, the government body that refused to support any type of LGBT Pride just a few short years ago.

West also expects support from elected leaders, both local and statewide. The board has even sent a request of support to President Barack Obama.

With new management at the

Flamingo Resort and a For Sale sign outside of Georgie’s Alibi, West admits that support from the bars on the Pinellas side of the bay hasn’t been great.

He said there has been greater support among Tampa-based establishments. He points to City Side which as raised nearly $3,000 in the sale of Tampa Pride buttons.

West said the city calls Pride a “controlled” event, meaning that there is a cap to the number of participants in both the parade

and in the street festival. He said the limit is 100 entries in each event.

So far, 40 units have registered for the parade. The street festival, however, is filling up more quickly.

Nearly 75% of the spaces are already spoken for.

West said he was particularly excited about the 10 different city vehicles—from fire trucks to police cruisers—that will be in the parade. He says the collection of vehicles will represent the diversity of Tampa’s city government.

Entertainment for the weekend is still coming together, West explained. Originally, a big name headliner was in the works, but based on feedback from other Pride organizations, Tampa Pride learned that big name headliners don’t necessarily mean larger crowds that can support the artist’s fees.

West noted, however, that there will be great local entertainment on hand, including Una Voce, Crescendo and others. Nationally recognized female impersonators are also expected and a soon-

to-be-named local female impersonator will serve as emcee.

Plans are underway for two top name local personalities to serve as grand marshals of the parade.

West said Pride hopes to honor both a man and woman who have made significant contributions to equality in our area. The grand marshals will be named at an

Pinellas County and Bradenton now. It’s time that Tampa had its own celebration. Plus with us in the spring, St. Pete Pride in the summer and Come Out with Pride in Orlando in October, we are quickly making sure there is a Pride celebration during every season of the year and all along the

event on Feb. 23 at Christino’s in Ybor City at 6 p.m.

At a time when Pride celebrations have peppered every corner of Florida and neighboring St. Pete Pride has a reputation as the largest in the southwest, West was asked why another Pride was needed in Tampa Bay. “Why Not?” he asked. “We have pride celebrations in Lakeland, Pasco County, north

politically important I-4 corridor.”

Organizers hope for an inaugural Tampa Pride that is comparable to the first St. Pete Pride held in 2003, where nearly 12,000 attended.

For details on Tampa Pride, to view volunteer opportunities or to become a sponsor, visit TampaPride.org.

“We have pride celebrations in Lakeland, Pasco County, north Pinellas County and bradenton now. It’s time that Tampa had its own celebration.” —Carrie west

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Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

15

state news

11th CirCuit Will Wait for Supreme Court deCiSion Staff Report

s

ame-sex couples can continue to get married in Florida, thanks to a Feb. 4 decision by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The court issued a stay on any further action in the federal cases challenging bans on marriages for samesex couples until the United States Supreme Court rules on the issue later this year. That means the 11th Circuit will not make a decision regarding an appeal brought

by Fla. Attorney General Pam Bondi seeking to reverse a District Court ruling striking down Florida’s marriage ban. It will also not hear two appeals from Alabama on similar rulings there.

On Feb. 9, Alabama became the 37th state in the United States to allow same-sex marriages.

“While we were prepared to argue before the 11th Circuit why Judge Hinkle ruling was correct, we are pleased that this victory for loving couples remains in effect,” said Daniel Tilley, an ACLU attorney.

The U.S. Supreme Court could rule this summer on the constitutionality of all same-sex marriage bans.

anti-tranSgender Bill introduCed in fla. houSe Samantha Lena Rosenthal

t

allahassee | A bill was introduced in the Fla. House Feb. 4 that would prohibit transgender people from using public facilities that align with their gender identities.

Republican State Rep. Frank Artiles of Miami introduced the bill. Many supporters of the bill said it would allow for security, safety and privacy for all individuals while also preventing antitransgender sex crimes.

The bill is titled “Single-Sex Public Facilities and its description reads that it “Requires that use of single-sex facilities be restricted to persons of sex for which facility is designated; prohibits knowingly and willfully entering single-sex public facility designated for or restricted to persons of other biological sex; provides exemptions; provides private cause of action against violators; provides for preemption.”

“The bill’s definition categorizes people by their biological sex—either male of female—and in turn by doing that, it dismisses the very essence of what it means to be transgender and transitioning” said Gina Duncan, Equality Florida Transgender Inclusion Director.

This bill was introduced after the county of Miami-Dade passed, by an 8-3 vote in December 2014, an amendment to its gay rights ordinances to add gender identity and expression.

If passed, this bill would have the power to override any local nondiscrimination ordinances that includes gender identity and expression protections.

Another alarming aspect of the bill is if a person who willing and willfully enters a single-sex facility that doesn’t align with their biological sex, then they’re liable by civil action by any person who is lawfully using the same singlesex public facility at the time as the unlawful entry.

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Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

“A transgender person can go into a restroom which aligns with their gender identity and expression and if for some reason another person in that restroom deems them to be transgender, then they’re subject to potentially one year of misdemeanor and one year in jail,” Duncan said.

She said it is also concerning that the bill can ultimately override and undo all the progress that has been made in the last couple years for the transgender community in Florida.

“LGBT advocacy organizations across the state are mobilizing to oppose this bill,” she said. “At this point, we are assessing the reality of this bill. Due to the bill being so extreme, there is some discussion in reference to whether this is sensationalism on the part of Rep. Artiles. It was drafted in anticipation of a larger fight, which is the Competitive Workforce Act which is going to be coming up in this legislative session.”

nation+world news

Alabama begins issuing marriage licenses to gay couples Wire Report

M

ontgomery, Ala. | Alabama began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on Feb. 9 despite an 11th-hour attempt from the state’s chief justice—an outspoken opponent—to block the weddings.

The U.S. Supreme Court said the morning of Feb. 9 that it wouldn’t stop the marriages, and shortly after, probate judges began granting the licenses to couples, some of whom had been lined up for hours and exited courthouses to applause from supporters.

“It’s about time,” said Shante Wolfe, 21. She and Tori Sisson of Tuskegee had camped out in a blue and white tent and became the first in the county given a license.

Most probate judges issued the licenses despite Chief Justice Roy Moore’s Sunday night order that they refuse. It was a dramatic return to defiance Moore, who

was removed from the post in 2003 for refusing to obey a federal court order to remove a washing machine-sized Ten Commandments from the state judicial building. Critics lashed out that Moore had no authority to tell county probate judges to enforce a law that a federal judge already ruled unconstitutional.

Susan Watson, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama, said she has heard of four counties where judges have refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

She said the judges face the risk of lawsuits for refusing.

“I would really think long and hard before defying a federal court order,” Watson said.

In Birmingham, one of the gay marriage licenses went to Dee and Laura Bush, who have been together for seven years and have five kids between them.

“It is great that we were able to

be part of history,” said Dee Bush.

After receiving her license, she and Laura walked outside to a park where a minister was performing wedding ceremonies.

In January, U.S. District Judge Callie Granade determined that Alabama’s statutory and constitutional bans on gay marriage were unconstitutional.

She put her order on hold until Monday to let the state prepare for the change. The state attorney general has requested that the hold be extended, but the U.S. Supreme Court refused to do so, paving the way for the marriages to begin.

State Attorney General Luther Strange said in a statement that the Supreme Court’s decision was likely to lead to more confusion.

The high court is expected to take up the issue of gay marriage and issue a ruling later this year on whether same-sex couples have a right to marry nationwide.

Alabama is the 37th state to allow gays and lesbians to wed.

sentence too lenient.

A statement Feb. 4 from the Kuria, as the court is now called, said the sentence condemning the unidentified defendants to community service did not fit the crime in which two of them threw cans and full plastic bottles at police while a third person hit and pushed

police body armor.

The defendants had been charged with group violence against officials, which carries a sentence of up to eight years in prison.

At the same time, however, the Kuria said that prosecutors had failed to prove that the defendants acted together as a group.

Republican Rep. David Brumbaugh passed the House Judiciary Committee Feb. 3 with a 7-2 vote.

It now heads to the full House for consideration.

The bill states licensed ministers shall be immune from any civil claim based on their refusal to recognize any marriage that violates the minister’s “conscience

or religious beliefs.”

The measure is one of several that has been targeted by gay rights groups as discriminatory against the LGBT community.

Brumbaugh says pastors from his district requested the bill after a federal court’s decision to legalize gay marriage in Oklahoma.

Hungarian court says sentence in gay march attack too soft Wire Report Budapest, Hungary | Hungary’s Supreme Court has ordered the retrial of three anti-gay protesters convicted of attacking police guarding the Budapest Pride march in 2011 because it considered the

Oklahoma bill could allow ministers to refuse to officiate gay weddings Wire Report Oklahoma City | A bill that would allow Oklahoma ministers to be immune from civil liability for refusing to officiate a samesex marriage has cleared a House committee.

The bill by Broken Arrow

watermark Your lgbt life.

in other news Michigan couples allowed to retain their marriages Michigan will recognize more than 300 same-sex marriages that were quickly performed in the hours before an appeals court blocked a ruling legalizing the unions, Gov. Rick Snyder announced Feb. 4. He said he wouldn’t appeal a federal court’s ruling last month that required the state to recognize the marriages performed on March 22, 2014. His decision means the ruling takes effect Feb. 5 and could have an impact on the couples’ health insurance coverage, their ability to jointly adopt children and other state benefits.

Slovak vote on gay rights fails due to low turnout A nationwide referendum on restricting gay rights in Slovakia has failed to produce a legally binding result after the required number of eligible voters did not turn out. In the Feb. 7 vote, Slovaks were asked whether they agree to three points: that marriage can only be called a union between a man and a woman; that same-sex partners must be barred from adopting children; and that it’s up to parents to decide whether their children receive sex education.

Oregon bakery faces up to $150K in discrimination fines An Oregon bakery faces fines of up to $150,000 for refusing to bake a wedding cake for a lesbian couple. The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries announced Feb. 2 that Aaron and Melissa Klein, owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa, would be facing fines and that the owners’ refusal of service violated the state’s nondiscrimination ordinance.

The Kleins had refused to bake the wedding cake because of the Kleins’ religious beliefs.

Va. registrar praised for letter on same-sex births Civil liberties lawyers applauded Virginia’s registrar of vital records for outlining new procedures to ensure the children of same-sex married couples are properly recorded by hospitals. Registrar Janet M. Rainey outlined the procedures and instructs hospitals that the children of two women who are married to each other should have both parents listed on their birth certificates.

Committee hears bills to ban LGBT discrimination in Nebraska A Nebraska legislative committee heard more than four hours of often-emotional testimony Feb. 4 about bills that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in hiring, adoptions and foster parent selection. Each of the three bills has been introduced in past years, but this year’s Judiciary Committee is made up of mostly new members, including vocal LGBT advocates Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln and Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln.

Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

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Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

viewpoint

Jamie Hyman

online mediA director

ally agenda An open letter to the mainstream media

D

ear Mainstream Media, Jan. 6, 2015 sure was a big day, wasn’t it?

LGBT couples across Florida finally won the right to marriage equality. Many of them chose to be a part of history, by participating in various mass, public weddings located throughout the state. Not only were these ceremonies moving, beautiful expressions of enduring, committed love, but they sure were great photo and video opportunities for Florida’s newspapers and television stations.

But you knew that, didn’t you? Because you were there. And so was Watermark.

This letter isn’t about questioning your right to be there—I realize that it is your responsibility to witness and report on historic events such as these.

I’m glad you were there. Many of the happy couples are also activists who worked hard for their equality and deserved media recognition for their success.

I do, however, have a few suggestions for some of you on respectful, appropriate ways to conduct yourself when covering same-sex weddings.

To the gentleman from the television station with the giant camera: Yes, I realize you’re trying to get your shot and would like us to move. But guess what?

I, a member of the local LGBT media, am also trying to get my shot. There is plenty of room for everyone, and your desperate need to try to part both other media and wedding guests like the Red Sea to ensure your own clear, unfettered shot was just never a battle you were going to win.

Not that you didn’t try.

You noisily interrupted the proceedings a number of times attempting to get friends and family members of loved ones out of your shot. My favorite was the couple standing directly in front of me. They were two women, whose daughter had the fortitude and fortune to procure a spot directly next to her moms— truly a front-row seat to what must have been one of the most meaningful and poignant moments in this family’s lives. The couple prepared to say their vows,

and I held my breath as one of them reached out for their daughter, pulling her into the moment for a brief, emotional embrace before their commitment because officially recognized by state.

That was when you decided to send your young assistant up to ask the daughter to move out of the way so you could get a clear shot of the couple’s vows.

That really, really sucked.

How could you have avoided these problems, gentleman from the television station with the giant camera? I have some suggestions, the first two based on timing. You could have done as my photographer and I did and arrived early enough to stake out a spot with a good view. Or, you could have simply paused, allowed the moment between the mothers and daughter to happen, and then taken your shot.

Another idea is to adjust your priorities when making choices for what to film.

Perhaps the mother/ daughter exchange might have made some nice footage, rather than the couples-only shot you had in mind? As I mentioned above, your job is to record and report history, and that means how it actually happens. The family really had that moment, that embrace, and you should have allowed it to proceed and filmed it as it unfolded.

You should not have interfered.

To the woman from the television station with the cameraman and the camera with the blinding light on top: I understand that your boss somewhere probably requested some commentary from you during the proceedings, no matter how inappropriate I find it to be to talk during a marriage ceremony, regardless the newsworthy circumstances.

But knowing this, did you really have to wait until the officiant called for a

moment of silence, wherein the couples could quietly, privately exchange their vows to each other, to deliver said commentary? Was that really the only possible time you could have delivered your little monologue? They are loving couples making a

The protesters were small in number, peaceful, and corralled to the side. What exactly did you think was going to happen? Consenting adults might love each other to death? This is not at all the crux of my issue with you, but it was such a weird line

to shut your newshole during someone’s wedding vows.

For the love of God. It’s hard to believe I actually need to advise a grown adult on this, but here we are.

Mainstream media, I’m glad you were there. Marriage equality is a huge issue

lifelong commitment to each other. They aren’t animals at the zoo, caged for our education, observation and commentary.

Also, what was up with that line at the end? You described the ceremony and what was happening, and then apropos of nothing, tossed in a remark like, “Don’t worry, viewers—there’s security here should things get out of hand.” What things?

I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I heard it.

How could you have avoided your problems, woman from the television station with the cameraman and the camera with the blinding light on top? My first suggestion, addressing the weird security remark, is to simply think about what you are saying and the implications of the words.

My second suggestion is

that deserves mainstream coverage. I just ask that next time you consider issues of timing, context and the fact that your subjects are real people, making real and meaningful and hardfought commitments, before you step in and interrupt to ensure you have the perfect shot.

They are loving couples making a lifelong commitment to each other; they aren’t animals at the zoo, caged for our education, observation and commentary.

Sincerely, Jamie

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Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

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watermark Your lgbt life.

Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

viewpoint

Rick Claggett Publisher

w o r d s

to live by Religious Right

L

et’s start by clarifying

the use of the word right immediately. I’m not referring to the religious right as in the social dictator and presidential doubtful, Mike Huckabee. Or the incoherent speaking marvel that is Sarah Palin.

This column is about the religious right as in the moral or legal entitlement to have or obtain something or to act in a certain way, as defined by Google.

Religion has always fascinated me, and I feel a little background in my experience is warranted here. I think it’s fair to say we, as children, are raised into or out of religion based on the beliefs of whomever is raising us.

A defining moment in middle school changed that course for me.

On this particular evening, my parents took me to see a production at their favorite church in Orlando. I was excited to go since this was also around the time I began to develop my love of theater. I had seen some of the talented work done at this church before and looked forward to a chorus of joyful angels praising the love of God. Unfortunately, that is not what I got.

The curtain rose and the level of my excitement soon followed. There was a party scene on the pulpitturned-stage. Two young girls were having an ABC Afterschool Special-esque discussion on whether they should drink alcohol.

The blonde girl had accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior and chose not to drink. The brunette girl had not accepted Jesus Christ as her personal

savior, clearly making her the drinker. I point out their hair color simply to distinguish them for the purpose of this story, but I also like to highlight the diversity in this cast. Despite their clear differences, the two girls continue to talk about their plans for the future and pound into the audience the fact that these two girls were closer than Blossom and Six. When it was time for them to leave the party, tragedy struck. On their way home together the two young ingénue’s got hit by a car, killing them instantly. The blonde girl was the first to notice the glowing light coming from stage left, accompanied by sweet music. She knew her salvation had arrived. The brunette walked towards her best friend in a state of confusion. Their eyes met and the stage went red.

Angry sounds of demons rose from the organ as spawns of Satan entered the stage. They grabbed the brunette and began to drag her toward the dark. She was kicking and screaming, crying for her friend.

At that moment, someone walked on stage to explain the brunette was going to hell because she had not accepted Jesus. She then asked if anyone in the audience would like to now declare their love and acceptance for Jesus.

My body began to tingle.

Was I having a religious breakthrough? Was Patti Lupone entering my body to bring me to my feet on that balcony for a show-stopping performance of Don’t Cry For Me Argentina? Or was I just a kid literally having the hell scared out of him?

In retrospect, it was definitely the latter. I jumped in my seat, raised both hands to the heavens and belted, “I accept Jesus Christ as my lord and savior!”

I was pulled into a room of other kids that had just pronounced their faith.

It didn’t take me long to see that this was a scare tactic, and a successful

one at that. I only mention this story to illustrate the beginning of my struggling religious journey.

I could write pages worth of questions and doubts regarding religion, but nowhere in those pages would I question an individual’s right to that religion. That is what religious right is.

based couple who refused to bake a wedding cake for a lesbian wedding now faces fines up to $150K. Many are upset that the couple will lose their business and that their religious rights are being trampled on.

WatermarkOnline. com has also reported on a new study saying that although Americans favor

there a missing book in the new testament where Jesus outlines the salvation of denying flowers to LGBT weddings?

There exists a world now where people can hate LGBTs and still abide by the governing antidiscrimination laws of their city, state or county.

And don’t worry, church

It’s the constitutional right to have your own very personal belief or lack thereof. What you do not have the religious right to do is use religion as a discrimination tool against others’ inalienable rights.

Please don’t groan, but I’m about to bring up the “C” word—cake.

WatermarkOnline.com has reported that the Oregon

marriage equality, they also favor a business’ religious freedom to deny services to same-sex couples.

Well I am here to say that is crap. Their religious right is wrong. Plain and simple, it is discrimination.

That is, unless there is another tablet I am not aware of that states”Thou shalt not bake cakes for lesbian weddings!” Is

is already exempt from catering to people they don’t want to.

Marriage equality is not about to change that.

Every person in our country has the moral and legal entitlement to their beliefs. They just don’t have the moral or legal entitlement to discriminate against me because I happen to have a different one.

Their religious right is wrong. Plain and simple, it is discrimination.

watermark Your lgbt life.

Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

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Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

73

talking points

%

AMERICANS

Of suPPOrt

PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS

siGninG Gay Or lesBian Players

52%

Of

wOrlD cuP

It’s like asking someone who’s Jewish to start serving bacon-wrapped shrimp in their deli.

We don’t want to do that—I mean, we’re not —mike huCkabee, disCussing his ongoing going to do that. opposition to marriage equality

thanKful fOr a

BrOKen heart

s

am smith has a lot for whiCh to be thankful. “I want to thank the man who this record is about,” Smith said Feb. 8 after receiving his fourth Grammy of the night. “Thank you so much for breaking my heart because I have four Grammys,” said the British singer. He won best new artist, song and record of the year for “Stay with Me” and best pop vocal album for In the Lonely Hour. In the press room following his speech, he told reporters that “maybe a boyfriend” would be the only thing to top his wins, adding that a potential beau could be “somebody who could clean all of these for me.”

POrn star turneD Priest says he Gave uP BeinG Gay

F sOccer

fans in the u.s. suPPOrt Gay Or lesBian Players, the smallest majOrity Of all sPOrts POlleD —Public Religion Research Institute and Religion News Service

ather Jose santiago, a married priest in san Juan puerto riCo, has a past as a gay porn star. His secret was exposed when some of his X-rated scenes linked online. The priest, now 33, doesn’t deny his past and says that since he was touched

by God, he has stopped being gay, is now married to a woman and no longer participates in “homosexual activities.” He said he will continue to resist calls for him to stand down as the pastor at the House of Prayer Monte Santo.

watermark Your lgbt life.

aBc lanDs jenner interview

a

lot has been said of late of bruCe Jenner’s plans to transition. The Olympic gold medalist turned reality star has been the focus of several tabloid magazine stories of late, most notoriously the In Touch cover story with his face photoshopped onto a female body. But it seems as though Jenner is closer than ever to coming out as transgender and ABC news reports that Diane Sawyer has negotiated an interview with the E! star. Sawyer, who has been honored

by GLAAD, is a longtime LGBT supporter. The interview is scheduled to air in May. Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

scruff BillBOarD a ‘nOD tO Gay trailBlazers’

t

he gay soCial networking app “sCruff” bought a 48foot billboard outside the University of Phoenix Stadium, home to the Superbowl. The ad shows two men eyeing each other in the locker room with the words, “Play on our team.” Scruff founder Johnny Skandros said he wanted to highlight the fact that gay men have always played on football teams, and that they don’t fall into simple stereotypes. He also said it was a chance to honor out athletes like Jason Collins and Michael Sam.

23

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24

watermark Your lgbt life.

Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

in-DePth: lOve+cOmmitment

four deCades strong: Jim Jablonski,

left, and Bart Coyle have been partners for 45 years. The couple has had a long, entertaining history, as shown by the New Year’s photo from 1983 (inset).

PHOTO By JAKE STEvEnS

THAT LONG -L ASTING

LOVE aS a valentine’S day gift to Watermark, long-term CoupleS Share their StorieS and SeCretS to SuCCeSS

Krista DiTucci, Zach Caruso and Steve Blanchard

F

inding love isn’t easy. websites,

phone apps and bars provide plenty of opportunities to find “the one.” But sometimes there seems to be too many fish in the sea. And too often, the ones we do catch we end up throwing back.

But that’s not always the case.

Long-term couples exist in the LGBT world and now, with 70% of America’s population living in marriage equality states, couples are able to seal their love with the government’s blessing.

Newlyweds are everywhere

now, thanks to Florida’s embrace of marriage equality Jan. 6.

But how do long-term couples manage to make it work for so long? It’s the perfect question to ponder during Valentine’s Day. And it seems there isn’t just one simple answer.

watermark Your lgbt life.

the Officer anD the enlisteD man Sarasota locals may recognize Jim Jablonski and Bart Coyle through LGBT organizations such as ALSO Youth and A League of Our Own. But, as impressive as their community involvement is, even more so is their 45-year story of love, life and adventure.

Jim and Bart met in Philadelphia on Nov. 15, 1969. Jim, who had been stationed in California with the U.S. Army, had just relocated to the city for employment. Being new to town, he decided to check out the gay

Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

cOntinueD On PG. 28 | uu |

25

26

watermark Your lgbt life.

Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

To: Ash From: Lo I love you. Mostest. Foreversies.

To: Jack Wetherell From: Aaron Sanford I love you, Mister! Can’t wait to officially call you my husband!

To: My Wife Tammy From: Joanie Mark an ‘X’ for Yes, and you’ll be my valentine!

To: Jean From: Edith Happy Valentine’s Day, Lovey!

To: Ken Terrell From: Robert Carner Roses are red.

Violets are blue.

Being married to you Is a dream come true!

To: Jen West From: Tatiana Quiroga Thank you for being the most amazing wife, mother and best friend. JTL forever!! <3 To: Gary From: David Almost nine years together, and I still cherish each day! You are my light, my love and my life. Thank you for the many special times past, present and future! Always, David To: Casey From: Kim Valentine’s Day is stupid. Our love is not. I love you so damn much. You really are my whole world!!! Happy anti-Valentine’s Day!! Here’s to many more..

To: Keith Kelly From: Michael Kelly I am so lucky to have you; you’ve been through so much with all my surgeries. I love you more then you’ll ever know. I love you with all my heart. So glad to be a part of your life, as you’re a part of mine. I look forward to many new adventures.

To: Sonia From: Erin You have my whole heart for my whole life. Happy second Valentine’s Day, and many more to come. I can’t wait to marry you. You are the love of my life.

To: James O’Farrell From: Dana McElvy 19 years, and now we are legal!

I love you so much. You are my sweetie-pie. Happy Valentine’s Day! To: Patricia Forgione From: Erica Franco What has it been, like two years? I love you more every day! Happy Valentine’s Day!

share the love Watermark readers share their Valentine’s greetings

w

AteRMARK readers are a loving bunCh—

at least that’s how it seems each year when we ask for your Valentine’s Day greetings at WatermarkOnline.

You delivered in a very big way again this year and we’re happy to showcase so many happy couples in our midst.

To: Ron From: Jesse It’s been an amazing ride so far of 14 years and two kids. Can’t wait to see what the next 14 years bring.

To: All my family and friends From: James Cardinal I want to wish each and every one of you a happy Valentine’s Day. I love each and every one of you.

Thanks for being in my life.

To: David From: Michael Happy Valentine’s Day. I love you!!! xoxoxo To: Mary From: Kathy You are my always and forever. I love you!

To: Paul Gonya From: Wayne Whitney Happy Valentine’s Day to the best partner in the world. You make my life complete. I can’t imagine my life in any other way. Each and every day is a joy!

To: Dale Kitt From: David Kitt To my amazing fiancée. Thank you for never letting a day go by without making me feel loved. I cannot wait to make you my husband this summer! All my love!!!

To: Sam Rennels From: Jason Rennels To the first woman I loved in my life.

I’m lucky that such a giant heart is genetic. Happy Valentine’s Day.

To: David From: David David Sparks, will you honor me with your hand in marriage on Jun. 26 of this year at The Treasure Island Ocean Club?

To: Barbie Denny From: Kimmy Denny You’re the reason why I feel so happy in my life. I will always consider you the greatest wife. For you change my life for the better. I am so lucky to have an affectionate and caring wife. I’ve never been so happy till I met you.

I love you, Mrs. Barbie Denny, my wife.

To: Voni Whitaker-Hillman From: Kole Whitaker-Hillman My love for you is as big as the sky and more than the stars. To the moon and back, forever and ever. Amen. 12-29-07

To: Andrew Citino From: Sasha Citino Happy Valentine’s Day to my handsome, loving, caring and sexy husband, Andy! I love you, Cosmos!

To: Popi From: boy sparkie I love you! Thank you for making life worth living! <3

To: Carlos From: Mark A little over four years ago, we stepped into each other’s lives. Since that first meeting, we have grown into one life filled with laughter, love, hope, promise, joy and peace. I love you for everything you are and all that you do for us, your family and friends and for the wonderful difference you make in the world we share. You are simply amazing, and I love you. XOXO

To: Luis Escalona From: Charlie Newsom To my husband since 1/11/15 and my life partner since 9/11/94: Happy Valentine’s Day forever and ever. Amen.

watermark Your lgbt life.

To: Mitchell B. Reynolds From: John B. Dorris Happy Valentine’s Day, baby! May our love grow larger than this universe and as deep as the deepest sea.

To: Doreen From: Denis You have stood by my side through thick and thin, and I don’t tell you enough how much in love with you I am. I am your love To: Antonio Tapia From: Scott Vedder Happy Valentine’s Day to my lawfully wedded husband! Love you!

To: Joe From: Tom 17 years together and now spouses for life. My love for you grows. Happy Valentine’s Day, dear husband! Love, Tom To: Yahira From: Kory TY for 12 years of love, understanding and passion. We are a perfect example of how true love never dies. I am so happy I found someone to share my life and dreams with. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you.

You have and are my heart!

To: Jonathan Robbins Leon From: Nicholas Robbins Leon Baby, I am so excited to share our second Valentine’s Day as husbands, and I’m more excited that it is our first one as dads. I love you so much! Thank you for making my life complete!

To: Thane Robinson From: Ovi Perez I love you with all my heart. Keep being my sweet Valentine’s lover every year. <3

Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

To: Tracy From: Dawn Will you be my Valentine?

To: Aris Munandar From: Thomas Hartman Happy anniversary, my lifetime Valentine!

To: Karin From: Tristan Happy first Valentine’s Day. It’s been a great beginning, and I hope things continue to grow. All I know is that you make me smile all the time.

To: Lauren From: Christina Here’s to Valentine’s Day #4!

Love you, Pumpernickel!

To: Danny G. From: Samantha Rosenthal Have a great Valentine’s Day, work boyfriend! Love, your work wife! =) To: Watermark staff and the love of my life, Seamus the corgi From: Kimberly Slichter Thank you for letting me intern here. I was terrified to start, but you guys are incredibly sweet. Happy V-Day, everyone!

To: Matt From: Jamie Sometimes I hate everyone in the whole world but you. I love you. Happy Valentine’s Day. To: Jeremiah From: Rick Happy Valentine’s Day, baby! Thank you for sharing your life with me.

To: Pat From: Bryan Happy Valentines to my favorite Bear in the City! I love you dearly!!

To: Ronnie Bear Long From: Nate Shifflett Hi, Ronnie. I hope your Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 is a good day for you for no reason whatsoever. I love you. Goodbye.

To: Watermark Staff From: Seamus Happy Valentine’s Day to the best staff ever! I WOOF YOU! <3 To: Canonball From: Bayou Ready to begin our next chapter! I am so glad I get to share my life with you.

Love you to the moon and back.

To: Steve S. From: Steve B. Thank you for sharing your life with me and rolling along this big gay life of ours. You had me from ‘hello!’

27

| uu | Long term relationships frOm PG.25

bar scene. Jim took his cab driver’s suggestion and stopped at the best gay bar in town where he met Bart, who was out celebrating his 22nd birthday.

“I was getting ready to go out with some friends,” Bart remembers. “My mom came up to me and said, ‘Tonight you’re going to meet the person you’ll spend the rest of your life with.’ And that was the night I met Jim.” Jim and Bart moved into an apartment together for three years and then decided to buy a house after briefly separating. They lived in their Philadelphia home, where they spent most weekends hosting house parties with other couples.

“We didn’t really do the bar scene because that can be a distraction in a relationship,” Bart says.

The couple cared for Bart’s mother in their home for the last 13 years of her life. About a year after her death, Jim had the idea to drive up and down the Florida coast to see if they would be interested in living here.

“We stopped in Sarasota for a day or two, and the next thing I know, we’re dealing with a realtor,” Bart recalls. “I said, ‘Well, Jim, let’s make a list of the pros and cons here,’ and he said, ‘Yeah, OK, but sign these papers.’ So we bought a house, put our Philadelphia house up for sale, and here we are 15 years later.”

Jim is now a realtor with Michael Saunders & Co. in downtown Sarasota, and Bart is a personal trainer at Michael’s 40+ Fitness. Jim said he never officially came out to anyone in the workplace, but he and Bart hosted numerous parties with business associates at their home and always went together to company events.

“No one even thought twice about it,” Jim says. “We are lucky because a lot of people [in the gay community] didn’t have the breaks that we had.”

Bart agreed that their relationship was never problematic among society: “Growing up in Philadelphia, I was always out and never really had a problem with it, even when I was 17 and first came out. And you’re talking about a long time ago.”

Bart and Jim got married in Massachusetts in September 2013, shortly after the portion of the Defense of Marriage Act prohibiting same-sex couples from marrying was ruled unconstitutional. Jim said once gay marriage was recognized

28

newlywed: Susan Stanford, right, and Carol Friday of Orlando were legally married on Jan. 26, 25 years after they first met.

PHOTO By JAKE STEvEnS

federally, it made sense for them to become a married couple.

Although the two could not receive state benefits, they were able to take advantage of federal benefits.

Now that Florida recognizes gay marriage, their benefits have expanded astoundingly.

“It’s, like, 2,000 benefits, and I

like Christmas!”

Jim and Bart cited routine as one of the key ingredients to keeping their relationship alive. On Saturdays, their favorite activity is going to Costco.

“I like to watch him shop,” Bart says of his husband. “He’s the shopper in the relationship.”

riding high: Carrie, left, and Elisia Ross-Stone met two decades ago. PHOTO COuRTESy THE ROSS-STOnES

relationship work well is that, because he was an officer and I was an enlisted man, I know how to fold towels and iron shirts,” Bart says jokingly.

Let’s not forget the final ingredient in their relationship: a great sense of humor.

If you’re in a rough patch,

you can understand that’s all that it is— —Carrie ross-stone a rough patch. don’t even know what they all are!”

Bart says with a laugh.

Bart witnessed his first gay marriage when he went to the March On Washington in the 1970s.

“I said, ‘You’re kidding me! That [gay marriage] is never going to happen!” Bart says. He said ever since it started becoming legal in several states, the floodgates have opened.

“We never gave it a thought that we would ever be married,” Jim adds. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think we could ever be really, really married like my parents were.

The way I always felt is that we have each other, so we didn’t need the marriage certificate. Now we have each other and all the benefits—it’s

Aside from their different shopping styles, Bart said he and Jim are very different people. For instance, he considers himself more of an introvert and Jim as more of an extrovert. But balance and routine have worked in their favor.

“A lot of people are looking for perfection,” Bart said. “I know for a fact that I’m not perfect, yet he puts up with my flaws and he has one or two that I put up with (laughing).

And that’s part of the game.”

“It’s worth it,” Jim agrees. “We never argue. We just don’t. If we do, I guarantee in a half hour, it’s forgotten.”

And Bart admits that sometimes he’ll give Jim the silent treatment.

“What really makes our

watermark Your lgbt life.

the rainBOw-riDinG GranDmOthers To admire a lasting relationship is to admire fortitude, togetherness, and a pursuit of common goals.

For Carrie and Elisia Ross-Stone, these are traits they have in spades, and they’ve lasted for more than two decades.

“We were friends for nine years before we got together,” says Carrie.

“We actually met more than once at these musical festivals, like the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival, when they were still really small and only a few hundred people were going to them.”

Elisa was living in Florida and Carrie would vacation in Tampa Bay. So the two crossed paths regularly.

Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

Carrie explains that she and Elisia were always in relationships with other people, so the idea of testing the romantic waters didn’t enter either of their minds for years.

“Then one day I was standing in my friend’s front yard in Gulfport and she came walking out of her apartment, which she was renting from a friend of mine, and this time neither of us was in a relationship so we started hanging out together more,” says Carrie. “Six months later, it was New Year’s Eve 1999, we were walking on the beach and when midnight rolled around we kissed, and we immediately felt like there might be something there.

There were definite fireworks.”

Little did they know on that New Year’s Eve on the beach, that they were about to do something that would bring national attention to not only their relationship, but to the nationwide fight for marriage equality.

“In 1996, Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act,” recalls Carrie. “I was doing wills and trusts at that time, and talking to a lot of gay and lesbian individuals about these legal issues, and inevitably the conversation about ‘Why can’t we get married?’ and ‘Why shouldn’t we try to get married?’ would come up.”

The Defense of Marriage Act effectively disqualified samesex couples from being officially

recognized as spouses in regards to federal laws, which in turn excluded them from receiving federal marriage benefits.

“Some couples in Hawaii decided to put it to the test, because there weren’t any laws explicitly saying that gay and lesbian couples couldn’t apply for a marriage license,” says Carrie. “The Supreme Court in Hawaii was debating whether or not to grant them the license when Congress freaked out and Clinton then went ahead and signed the Defense of Marriage Act. It really annoyed me that a Democratic president that I voted for to get elected would do something like that.

“But what irked me even more was that when I talked to most gay and lesbian individuals about it, they weren’t even aware he had done it, it kind of went under the radar.”

In 2004, they planned and organized a bike ride unlike any other—they began in their hometown of Tampa and rode to California, and stopped in towns and cities along their route.

“I felt like [this ride] was our way of introducing ourselves to people in

parts of the country that said ‘Oh we know what gay and lesbian people look like.’” says Carrie. “And what they claimed gay and lesbians looked like were just stereotypes being perpetuated by the media, showing how we looked at a Pride Parade, as though straight people don’t look like that at football games or Mardi Gras.”

It was dubbed The Rainbow Ride Across America, and Carrie and Elisia gained momentum in their journey for equality with each passing city they visited.

“We wanted to try to show people, ‘This is us, we’re just living our lives.’”

Carrie says. “We would talk to people. We gave presentations in front of progressive groups and LGBT groups. Honestly, I think the best progress we made were the times we were eating in a restaurant, talking to the waitress and the nearby tables, or at a laundromat, or a gas station.

“We had the most heartfelt and insightful conversations a lot of times with people who were not on our side. Maybe they didn’t change their minds, but they at least understood why we were doing what we were doing.”

After the Rainbow Ride, they started RainbowLaw. com, which offers free and affordable legal documents to protect legal rights.

They also built their own adobe house in West Virginia by hand and are proud grandmothers.

Carrie says their attitudes and views on life and love are what help sustain them.

“I think a lot of it is that we understand that not everything is perfect all the time. If you’re in a rough patch, you can understand that’s all that it is—a rough patch,” she says. “You keep your eye on the prize. We built a house together, we set this goal and at the end of it we’re proud of what we did.

Riding our bicycles across the country, we had a goal and we accomplished it. Now we have these memories, and photographs, and it’s all like throwing a pebble

in a pond and it creates a few ripples. You never know what kind of impact it ends up having. We’re committed to seeing things through until the end, and I think that’s also how we feel about our relationship.”

25 years enGaGeD

On Jan. 26, 2015, Carol Friday and Susan Stanford of Central Florida were finally legally married. This came after a 25-year-long engagement.

“We had exchanged rings before, but it was just symbolic,” says Carol.

“But now it’s for real. We were waiting for Florida to catch up with the rest of the country so we could be married at home.”

The two met through mutual friends two and a half decades ago at a bar called The Phoenix. They were not set up on a blind date and their mutual friends didn’t plan for the women to become an item.

“It wasn’t on purpose,” Susan recalls. “We just said hello and there was an instant connection.”

And the two had the perfect conversation starter: each of their first names is the other’s middle name.

Within a few months, Susan moved into Carol’s home—and both of their families have been supportive throughout their relationship.

“My family has always been accepting of Carol,” Susan says. “My dad still says she’s like another daughter.”

Now that the couple are married, they say things won’t really change—except for the large number of legal protections that come with the marriage certificate.

The two plan to continue living with the formula that has worked so well for them over 25 years, and the main ingredient is kindness.

“Just be kind,” Susan says.

“Think about what your partner needs and wants and be very patient.”

Carol agrees, but reminds couples to stay vigilant in their kindness.

“Yes, do that day in and day out,” she says, “and throw in a back rub once in awhile.”

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Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

29

“SNOWSHOW IS TO CLOWNING WHAT CIRQUE DU SOLEIL IS TO CIRCUS” -VARIETY

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arts and entertainment

Loving the

Life

Before she heads to Florida Melissa Manchester talks about her incredible career and the influence LGBTS have had on it

I

Stephen J. Miller

t’s hard to pin Melissa Manchester’s style

down—that’s what becomes immediately apparent in her newest album, You Gotta Love the Life. The Grammy-winning, Oscarnominated singer-songwriter isn’t scared of shaking it up. With over four decades in the business, Manchester has embraced the new and crowd-funded her latest work, loaded with many musical styles.

“It’s about show business. The challenge is the key component of an artistic world.

You’ve got to be okay with this version of normal—the unsteady, insane and unsure path. I am, and I’ve always been,” says Manchester, who’ll turn 64 on Feb. 15.

Manchester—famous for her hits “Midnight Blue,” “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” and “You Should Hear How She Talks About You”—will play several dates in Florida.

The two dates in Central Florida include the Mount Dora Music Festival which runs Feb. 19-22—she performs Feb. 20 (MountDoraMusicFest.com). She’ll also appear at Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall on Mar. 5 (RuthEckerdHall.com).

Manchester spoke to us about her career from her California home:

WATERMARK: Tell me a little about the wide variety of styles on your new album You Gotta Love the Life.

MELISSA MANCHESTER: My experience in the music industry is that people like to pigeonhole an artist. It’s in order to help market, but it’s still categorizing what you do.

The evidence of my life is that, on stage, I do all kinds of music, and I’ve yet to hear of anybody needing to be carted away in an ambulance from the shock of that.

So what I wanted to do is to reflect to wide variety of my musical tastes. That’s what I did; that’s one of the perks of being an independent artist. You are your own record company.

Continued on pg. 33 | uu |

watermark Your lgbt life.

Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

31

performance

Getting Wordy

Wordier Than Thou brings creative minds together in Tampa Bay and has expanded to Orlando

listen up:

Writer Julie Armstrong reads some of her material during Wordier Than Thou held at Studio@620 in downtown St. Petersburg recently. PHOTO COuRTESy TIffAny RAzzAnO

32

s

Skyla Dawn Luckey

t. petersburg | nearly three years

ago, an open mic outlet that catered to fiction and non-fiction writers has transformed into a monthly event for creative writers in Tampa Bay. Now Tiffany Razzano’s Wordier Than Thou brings together creative minds from throughout Tampa Bay.

Razzano, a New York native, moved to Florida with her parents six years ago, and at first, it wasn’t the ideal living or job situation.

“My parents moved to Spring Hill, and I didn’t really know what I was getting into,” she says. “It was a somewhat terrible, sort of an adventure.

I kind of assumed I would leave and go to Ashville, Austin or Portland—one of those cities with cool things, but then I found St. Pete, and even St. Pete has so much more going on within that six year period.”

Razzano thought she would easily find a full-time job after moving here,

as she had in New York where she wrote for different newspapers. She graduated, after all with a bachelors degree in creative writing from Dowling College. But she only worked part-time jobs and freelanced for publications.

After a year, she found her first serious jobs with Home Shopping Network as a copywriter, and with Nielsen Media as an editor.

“It took awhile,” she says. “Not as many media opportunities down here, that’s for sure.”

Throughout it all she built a system that gives local writers a chance to learn and share their works through

watermark Your lgbt life.

Wordier Than Thou.

The idea for the project spontaneously came to her while she was out with friends, and she knew that if her idea came to life, it would kill two birds with one stone. She wanted to create a place where she could present her work in a suitable environment—since her short fiction stories didn’t exactly fit in at spoken word poetry open mics—and she also wanted to get herself out there more with public speaking. Her first Wordier Than Thou was held at the now-closed L-Train in downtown St. Petersburg.

Future versions were in coffee shops until Razzano found a permanent home at Studio@620.

“When you’re reading an essay, more time is required to convey what you’re trying to say, and you need an audience with different expectations, like ready to have that attention span to listen to that short story and absorb everything you’re trying to say,” she says. “There wasn’t anything like that out there.”

The program is going strong now and Razzano took the opportunity to propose to her girlfriend of four years, Julie Fisher, at the Jan. 20 event. Her familiarity with public speaking, she says, made it easier for her to pop the question in front of 35 people that night.

Wordier Than Thou unites a diverse crowd each month—and oftentimes a surprise will appear. Once, a comedian and a ventriloquist showed up, which offered a new perspective in creativity.

But for the most part, Razzano s that a lot of talented writers participate. She likes the features, which are published authors and professors, who share some of their published works at each event. Every participant is allowed 10 minutes at the microphone.

“Wordier Than Thou does not knock anyone else’s formats or set ups,” says Nicholas Kotowski, a participant since May 2013. “We simply welcome all writers who have a story to tell and want to share their creativity with the world. Tiffany has created a platform that revitalizes the written word to a growing culture in greater Tampa Bay.” Razzano does not make a living from

Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

Wordier Than Thou. The $5 suggested donation at the door cover the cost of fliers, and the cost of the space where events are held.

“I don’t read at every event, because I don’t like to take the spotlight away from people who have paid their fivedollars at the door to participate,” Razzano says. “But I also don’t always have it in me to host and speak.”

Austin Collins, a published author, has attended Wordier Than Thou for several months, and like many, benefits from the feedback he gets from the audience.

“The most valuable aspect of participating in Wordier Than Thou, as a reader or as a listener, is the incredible insights one cannot help but gain into what flows in fiction versus what feels clunky, repetitive, dry or flat,” Collins says. “It’s often hard to tell, looking at the page, whether something pops and sings. As soon as you hear it out loud, however, especially in front

“More time is required to convey what you’re trying to say, and you need an audience with different expectations.”

—tiffany raZZano

of a group, you can immediately tell if it has rhythm and power. If it drags, it’s instantly obvious.”

Monthly Wordier Than Thou events take place in St. Pete at Studio@620, and in Tampa at Florida Avenue Brewing Company. Orlando started having monthly events in Winter Park at Stardust Video and Coffee on Feb. 11 and will host another on March 18.

Orlando monthly events will be held the fourth Wednesday of every month.

The Sarasota events are bimonthly at Fogartyville Community Center.

Razzano’s future goal is to have it as a monthly event there, too.

For more information and a full schedule, visit WordierThanThou.com.

more information

what: Wordier Than Though where: Studio@620 in St. Petersburg, Florida Avenue Brewing Co. in Orlando, Fogartyville Community Center in Sarasota details: WordierThanThou.com

One of the songs on my new album— “You Are My Heart”—was written for my dear friends Steve and Bill, who weren’t able to get married because of DOMA. When they got married in August, I performed that song. It just shows how far we’ve come.

lots of love: Melissa Manchester is on tour promoting her newest album, “You Gotta Love the Life.”

| uu | melissa manchester frOm PG.31

yOu have stateD that yOu’ve haD Gay anD lesBian PeOPle arOunD yOur entire life. is that Because yOur Parents were in the Business?

Yes. My mother was a famous fashion designer and my father worked for the Metropolitan Opera [playing bassoon].

I never thought much about it, because gay people were just part of our extended family. It always seemed natural to me. what imPOrtant life lessOns DO yOu teach yOur current music stuDents at university Of sOuthern califOrnia?

I try to tell them that, just because they wrote a song, that doesn’t mean that’s the best version. They have to be willing to test it out and run it past others.

One Of yOur Own first teachers was Paul simOn, riGht?

Yes. It was thrilling to be taught by him, because at the time Bridge Over Troubled Water was No. 1 all over the world, and he was a guest instructor. He taught a very core principle that I carry with me and teach to this day; all the stories have been told, but it’s the way you tell your story that truly matters. what’s One Of the mOst memOraBle mOments yOu haD as BeinG One Of Bette miDler’s BacK-uP sinGers, the harlettes?

I was with her at the beginning of her career. I played at the [famously gay] Continental Bathhouse, and I saw her perform, and I quickly saw how brilliant she is up close and personally.

You know, in a historical context, that was most illuminating to me—how she spoke to the marginalized gay community.

She gave them a sense of community, a voice and a sense of belonging when very few people would.

yOur first twO alBums—even with wOrK By carOle Bayer saGer— cracKeD the tOP 200 But nOt the tOP 100. hOw DiD yOu feel aBOut that? DiD yOu exPect mOre Or were yOu exciteD yOu GOt that far?

I really didn’t pay attention to that stuff in those days. I was working so hard. I was a coffeehouse performer, so I had no expectation that someone would find me.

I was a singer-songwriter trying to work at my craft, so I wasn’t thinking of singles and charts. Now, when “Midnight Blue” took off, it clearly changed the direction of everything.

DiD yOu KnOw “miDniGht Blue” was that GOOD?

Thank you! I thought I had something special, but you never know. I remember I realized it when I was playing New Orleans, and I started the opening refrain, and the place went nuts! I really didn’t know till then it was getting so much airplay over the radio. It also created a pressure, how a song affects people’s lives and changes their hearts.

BesiDes PrOmOtinG the new alBum anD tOurinG, what are yOu wOrKinG On nOw?

I’ve written another musical with [TonyAward winner] Rupert Holmes and Sharon Vaughn called The Sweet Potato Queen. It gets a staged reading in March. We’ll let you know how that turns out. yOu have several Dates here in flOriDa feBruary anD march—what are yOu mOst lOOKinG fOrwarD tO?

I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with my fans and making a few new ones.

I want to put these new songs out there, share them. I also can’t wait to have time to walk around and get to know Mount Dora and re-acquaint myself with Clearwater.

more information

who: Melissa Manchester where: Mount dora Music Festival, Feb. 20; Ruth Eckerd Hall, March 5

To Boone, With Love

A BeneÞt Cabaret and Silent Auction Featuring Boone Students and local Orlando theatre celebrities

$5 Student Tickets

$10 General Admission

tiCkets: MountdoraMusicFest.com; RuthEckerdHall.com

To read bonus content from this interview go to watermarkonline.com.

watermark Your lgbt life.

Friday February 20 at 8pm in the Boone Auditorium Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

33

FEB 24 & 25 • 7:30pm FERGUSON HALL

On view now through May 31, 2015 Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Figures on the Beach (detail), 1890, Oil on canvas, Robert Lehman Collection Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

eventplanner event planner

artS+entertainment

Community Calendar

OrlanDO

GulfPOrt

The Explorers Club, Through Feb. 22, The Harriett Theatre, Mad Cow Theatre, Orlando. 407-297-8788; MadCowTheatre.com

Lady In red sweetheart Dance

To Kill a Mockingbird, Through March 8, Margeson Theater, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Orlando. 407-447-1700; OrlandoShakes.org Merry Wives of Windsor, Through March 7, Margeson Theater, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Orlando. 407-447-1700; OrlandoShakes.org Harry Connick Jr., Feb. 14, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 844-513-2014; Drphillipscenter.org Miss Large & Lovely national Pageant, Feb. 16, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425 7571; ParliamentHouse.com WWE Monday night Raw!, Feb. 16, Amway Center, Orlando.

407-440-7000; AmwayCenter.com Henry V, Feb. 18- March 22, Goldman Theater, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Orlando. 407-447-1700; OrlandoShakes.org Photograph 51, Feb. 18-March 15, The Zehngebot-Stonerock Theatre, Mad Cow Theatre, Orlando. 407-297-8788; MadCowTheatre.com Luke Bryan, Feb. 19- Feb. 21, Amway Center, Orlando.

407-440-7000; AmwayCenter.com (A Love Story), Feb. 19March 1, UCF Conservatory Theatre, Orlando. 407-823-1500; Theatre.UCF.edu Annie Get Your Gun, Feb. 19March 15, Theatre Winter Haven, Winter Haven. 863-294-7469; TheatreWinterHaven.com God of Carnage, Feb, 20-March 1, Henegar Center for the Performing Arts, Melbourne.

321-723-8698; Henegar.org Downtown food & Wine Fest, Feb. 21-22, Lake Eola, Orlando. 407-919-1048; DowntownFoodAndWineFest.com A Choreographer’s Showcase, Feb. 23, Orlando Ballet, Orlando.

407-426-1739; OrlandoBallet.org Dreamgirls, Feb. 24- Feb. 25, Theatre Winter Haven, Winter Haven. 863-294-7469; TheatreWinterHaven.com

8 p.m., feb. 14 gulfport Casino ballroom Grab your sweetheart and dance the night away on Valentine’s Day, all while raising money for the Sonia Plotnick Health Fund. The annual dance caters to female and male couples and tickets are available at SoniaPlotnickHealthFund.org.

we’re with

her Trans rocker Laura Jane grace will perform at The Ritz Ybor in Tampa on Feb. 19 and at the Beacham in Orlando on Feb. 19. Her “Transgender Dysphoria Blues Tour” will promote her newest album, Against Me. Get tickets and info at AgainstMe.net.

tamPa Bay

Howie Mandel, Feb. 20, Capitol Theatre, Clearwater. 727-791-7400; RuthEckerdHall.com

Rent, Through Feb. 22, M.A.D. Theatre, Tampa. 813-386-6173; MadTheatre.com Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily by Katie Forgette, Feb. 13-March 7, Carrollwood Players, Tampa. 813-265-4000; CarrollwoodPlayers.org “Love Letters” by A.R. Gurney, Feb. 14-16, Studio @ 620, St. Petersburg. 727-895-6620; TheStudioAt620.org

Mummenshanz, Feb. 24- Feb. 25, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa. 813-229-7827; Strazcenter.org Maroon 5, Feb. 25, Amelie Arena, Tampa. 813-301-2500; AmelieArena.com

sarasOta

Annie, Feb. 17-22, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa.

813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org Diana Ross, Feb. 18, Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg.

727-898-2100; TheMahaffey.com

Dancing Lessons, through Feb. 27, Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota. 941-366-9000; FloridaStudioTheatre.org Into The Woods, through March 1, Manatee Players, Sarasota. 94-749-1111; Manateeplayers.com

Mary Poppins, through March 15, Venice Theatre, Venice.

941-488-1115; VeniceStage.com TThe Marriage of Figaro, Feb. 14- March 27, Sarasota Opera, Sarasota. 941-366-8450; SarasotaOpera.org Dancing Pros Live, Feb. 16, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota. 941-953-3368; VanWezel.org Agnes of God, Feb. 19March 8, Manatee Players, Sarasota. 941-749-1111; Manateeplayers.com Ringo Starr, Feb. 24, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota.

941-953-3368; VanWezel.org It Was a Very Good Year, Feb. 25, Manatee Players, Sarasota. 941-749-1111; ManateePlayers.com

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

watermark Your lgbt life.

Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

tamPa

equality Florida Gala 7:30 p.m., saturday, feb. 21 tpepin’s hospitality Centre, tampa Equality Florida will recognize the contributions of Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner at its Tampa Gala Feb. 21. The celebration, held at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre, includes a silent auction, drinks and food. Tickets are available by calling 813-870-3735 or visiting EQFL.org/TampaGala.

Watermark Wednesday 6-8 p.m., wednesday, feb. 25 Cityside lounge, tampa Enjoy your first drink for free at Watermark Wednesday, a free event that will raise money for Balance Tampa Bay. Raffle tickets will be sold for phenomenal prizes and attendees will get an update on what the social and volunteer group is up to in 2015.

Visit the Watermark Wednesday Facebook event page for more information.

OrlanDO

PreP/PeP Community Forum 7-9 p.m., thursday, feb. 19 footlight theater, orlando Learn everything you need to know about PrEP and how it’s used in HIV prevention at an event hosted by The Center inside the Footlight Theater at the Parliament House. The free seminar is open to everyone and attendees can get answers directly from doctors and human services professionals.

The Gong show 7 p.m., sunday feb. 22 the Center orlando See who has talent, and who doesn’t, at this recreation of the popular television show. Celebrity judges will determine who stays and who goes. Get more information at TheVenueOrlando.com.

35

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watermark Your lgbt life.

Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

ShotonSite

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Tampa Bay 1- Cover-worthy: Watermark Art Director Jake Stevens snaps photos of this issue’s cover subjects, Bart Coyle and Jim Jablonski, in the backyard of the couple’s Bradenton home Feb. 2. Photo by Steve Blanchard 2- In search of booty: This band of pirates invades G. Bar on Jan. 31, the same day as the Gasparilla Parade, with drinks in hand. Photo by Vinny D’Ippolito

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3- Inclusionary speakers: Ashley Brundage, left, and Marsha Jones, both of PNC Bank, make time for a photo before speaking at an Inclusion Summit presented by Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport on Feb. 6. Photo courtesy Ashley Brudage 4- A simple question: Tiffany Razzano, left, proposes to her longtime girlfriend, Julie Fisher, during the Jan. 20 Wordier Than Thou event at Studio@620 in downtown St. Petersburg. Photo courtesy Tiffany Razzano 5- Pirating is hard work: Liza Miller tosses beads to an enthusiastic crowd during the 100th Gasparilla Parade along Tampa’s Bayshore Boulevard Jan. 31. Photo by Steve Blanchard 6- Grand entrance: Actor and reality show host Mario Lopez shows way too-little skin while serving as a grand marshal for the Tampa Gasparilla Parade Jan. 31. Photo by Steve Blanchard 7- Out of the office: U.S. Congresswoman, former Hillsborough County Commissioner and longtime LGBT supporter Kathy Castor shows her pirating skills during Gasparilla 2015 on Jan. 31. Photo by Steve Blanchard

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8- Super party: Friends take a break from Superbowl festivities at City Side in Tampa to pose for the camera Feb. 1. Photo courtesy Carrie West

Overheard Get Erotic on Facebook

F

acebook has strict guidelines when it comes to photo content, but that doesn’t mean you can’t promote An Evening of Erotica through social networking. The annual celebration of all things sexy returns to the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts Feb. 17 and is presented by the genius minds of Spathose. The night features erotic imagery, fashion and art ranging from photographs to lingerie. Guests are encouraged to capture the evening digitally and post to Facebook using the hashtag #SPATHOSE. Whoever gets the most likes by Monday

Feb. 23 wins a piece of Spathose wearable sculpture. Tickets to the event are $25 for MFA members and $25 for non-members at FineArts.org/RSVP.

G Bar could see new ownership

W

e’ve heard through the grapevine that popular Ybor club G Bar could be under new ownership soon. What first grabbed our attention was a set of liquor reduction blowout nights at the club on Ybor’s 7th Avenue. Getting information has been difficult, but we’ve heard from reliable sources that Rick Kowalczyk, owner of the newly

remodeled Southern Nights in Orlando, could be prospective buyer. There are also rumors of the Honey Pot’s impending sale, but we haven’t had any luck getting in touch with anyone to verify or deny that just yet.

Christine O’Leary is coming back

S

t. Petersburg’s honorary some-time resident is coming back. Christine O’Leary, who stole our hearts as St. Pete Pride’s Mistress of Ceremonies in 2012, is returning to the Metro Center in St. Petersburg for a two-night stint benefitting the charitable organization. The out comedian,

watermark Your lgbt life.

described as “brash, bold and a delicious delight” will perform at 7:30 p.m. March 13 and 14. She’s been to the city to perform several times since her initial appearance in 2010, and each time she proves why she’s one of America’s 50 Funniest Lesbians. For tickets and details, visit MetroTampaBay.org/ ChristineStrikesAgain.

Waiting on Mary stars locals

L

ocal Tampa Bay actors have been busy recently. A handful have been filming a comedy/drama period piece called Waiting on Mary, filmed in St. Petersburg.

Brian Shea, a regular at American

Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

Stage and freeFall Theatre, stars as a struggling actor, traumatized by a brutal divorce who assumes the personality of a colonial character he played at a failed amusement park. Also making an appearance is Matthew McGee, the community outreach director for freeFall Theatre and “Patti Melt” in the fictional mother/ son performance duo of Scott & Patti. Waiting on Mary is in the final stages and McGee has a role as Colonel Pennington. Producers said that McGee did such a good job initially that they expanded the role so McGee could be on screen even more. No news yet as to when the film will be released, but we know we want to see it!

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Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

ShotonSite 1

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orlando

1- MIXIN’ IT UP: (L-R) Don Williams, Jason Saucier, Thearon Scurlock and Nayte Carrick rub elbows at the Metropolitan Business Association’s monthly mixer on Feb. 4 at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek. Photo by Danny Garcia 2- SHAKEN OR STIRRED?: Bartender Chris “Tadpole” Hannay pours drinks for Southern Nights patrons Jan. 29. Photo by Danny Garcia 3- CABARET STAR: Local realtor David Dorman took the stage with his sister Julie Orhberg on Jan. 26 as a part of The Abbey’s “Monday Night Cabaret Series.” Photo courtesy Scott Penyak

7 4

4- COWBOYS FIGHT CANCER: (L-R) HRC’s Southern Regional Field Director Joe Saunders, David Baldree and Joshua Vickery enjoy time together at the American Cancer Society’s Cattle Barons Ball Orlando 2015 on Feb. 7 at the Rosen Shingle Creek. Photo courtesy Joe Saunders 5- A NEW HOME: A group from Equality Florida stands on the porch of the new Equality Florida Orlando headquarters on Virginia DriveFeb. 1. Photo courtesy of Equality Florida’s Facebook

6- CELEB SPOTTING: Scott “Carrot Top” Thompson, left, poses with a friend at Gilt Nightclub on Feb. 5 for the club’s grand opening of THRIVE Thursdays—the nightclub’s premier alternative night. Photo by Samantha Rosenthal 7- CASHING OUT: The Orlando Magic Youth Foundation and the McCormick Fund awards Zebra Coalition $75,000 to help support the LGBT youth in Central Florida on Feb. 5. Photo courtesy Jason Doll

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8- MAKING HEADLINES: Watermark’s Editorial Assistant Samantha Rosenthal (right) and friend Dani Moreno stop for a photo op on the opening night of Disney’s Newsies at the Dr. Phillip’s Center on Jan. 27. Photo courtesy of Samantha Rosenthal

Overheard No singing for OGC at Magic game

I

t was set to be a beautiful night inside the Amway Arena when the Orlando Gay Chorus entertained a massive crowd Feb. 25.

But unfortunately, it’s not to happen.

According to a spokesperson with the chorus, miscommunication with the Magic fouled up the plans to perform at halftime—apparently when you’re asked to perform a $2,000 sponsorship is implied.

Last-minute negotiations pitched a pre-game performance, to which the OGC denied. Orlando Magic owner, the DeVos family, has a long list of anti-gay moves. We’re hoping this truly was a miscommunication and not something more devious.

Walker joins Hope & Help

T

he Hope and Help Center of Central Florida has a new event director—and the Center will soon be looking for a new assistant executive director.

Russell Walker will leave The Center and begin his new job with Hope and Help on Feb. 16.

He will fill the position previously held by Christopher Hessler.

Orlando bar owner to invade Ybor?

T

ampa Bay’s Ybor City has some fantastic bars, and unlike Orlando, they’re all pretty much walking

distance from one another. One of the gayborhood bars is G.Bar, Watermark sources in both Orlando and Tampa Bay have said rumors of G Bar’s impending sale were true. We’ve even been told that the likely buyer is Rick Kowalczyk, owner of the newly remodeled Southern Nights in Orlando. Our attempts to get more information were unsuccessful, but all the signs—including a liquor inventory reduction blowout party held in January—are there.

The ‘Original B’ is back!

N

azhoni is said to be one of Orlando’s original and wildest club kids.

And now, Nazhoni has returned to Southern Nights where she will

watermark Your lgbt life.

bartend and play host. Returning to their Tuesday line-up, Southern Nights will have Nazhoni host an amateur strip contest as well as perform her own dance-floor hotspots for Thursday nights.

Artegon may be the go-to for Gay Days

I

f you’re going to start the biggest gay week in Orlando, you might as well start it right. Gay Days has been known for their big and crazy kickoff parties and this year seems to be no exception. Locations are being finalized and we hear the newly opened Artegon’s Marketplace is a frontrunner. The marketplace had a grand opening filled with live

Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

music and entertainment recently and has also hosted Watermark’s Third Thursday social. If you haven’t seen the space yet, check it out when it hosts the MBA’s March social mixer.

Buh-Bye To Yum Yum

T

he Yum Yum Cupcake Truck is no more.

Founders Joey Conicella and Alix Marin sold the popular food truck to Rak and Paula Sharma, but it seems the new owners have abandoned the future of the treatfilled truck. We’ll miss their sweet treats, but know there are plenty of other food trucks in Central Florida to delight our taste buds.

39

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Laws do not make families.

Love makes families, and your family is welcome here.

-Rev. Khleber Van Zandt Worship Service and Youth Religious Education Sundays 10:30 a.m.

Minister: Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

A LGBT Welcoming Congregation 1971 Pinebrook Rd. Venice, FL 34292

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www.uucov.org 941-485-2105

Feb rua ry 12-25 , 2015 // Issue 22.0 4

Call for rates

813-655-9890

transitions

Community Announcements

Announcing the Second Annual

finally offiCial: Dan (second from right) and Steve Warren (second from left) were joined in matrimony by Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson at Church of the Trinity MCC in Sarasota, ending a 26-year “engagement.” The couple was has their wedding on Jan. 15, but were among the first in line at the courthouse when Manatee County began issuing licenses on Jan. 6. Michael Wimer (far right) and Robert Hotz (far left), a married couple from San Francisco, served as the couple’s “best men.”

a new artistiC direCtion:

key west wedding: Orlando couple Jim Crescitelli, right, and Kirk Johnston were married in Key West on Feb. 6. The pair have been a couple since Feb. 15, 1985. PHOTO COuRTESy JIM CRESCITELLI

Saturday March 21st, 2015

from 12-5 at the beautiful Bradenton Riverwalk Featuring live entertainment, great music, local vendors, fine food and craft beer.

Admission is free and all proceeds will benefit Prism Youth Initiative, which provides services to the LGBTQ youth of Manatee County

American Stage Theatre Company announced Jan. 20 Stephanie gularte as the company’s next producing artistic director. Gularte will begin her role on Feb. 24. Gularte has 14 years of experience as a producing artistic director, including 10 years as the executive artistic director of Capital Stage Company, an acclaimed professional, nonprofit theatre company in Sacramento, Calif.

loCal BirthdayS USF Vegetarian Society President and St. Pete Resident Mark Weber and Tampa Suncrest Home Health director Portia Weiss (Feb. 13); Ybor’s Honey Pot manager and straight ally Ernie Webb, St. Petersburg performer Jaeda fuentes, UCF graduating senior Steven Hogue (Feb. 14); St. Petersburg’s The Queen’s Head co-owner Darren Conner (Feb. 15); LGBT-friendly Pinellas County Commissioner John Morroni, gorgeous O-Town dancer, choreographer, DJ and nightclub impresario Blue, Tampa activist Chris Goldsmith and Tampa Bay Bears president Keenan Rose (Feb. 16); Beautiful St. Petersburg performer and live vocalist Iman and Disney entertainment guru, John Bearse (Feb. 17). Tampa’s Xtreme Total Health and Wellness consultant Ty Williams (Feb. 18); Stonewall Pinellas Democrat Rick Boylan (Feb. 19); Tampa model and web site recruiter Michael vought, funeral director and Orlando Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Committee cofounder Sam Odom, Tampa Bay leather entrepreneur Billy Seablom, Flamingo Resort regular Mikel vought and Largo resident and Lighthouse Credit Foundation fronter David Crow (Feb. 20); House of Adonis hottie Jose Ortiz and Orlando’s Zebra Foundation youth board chair Scott Bowman (Feb. 21); Tampa consultant Bart nagy, rollergirl Jessy “Spikey” Wayles, TBGLCC administrator and TIGLFF superstar Renee Cossette and St. Pete Pride board member Stanley Solomons (Feb. 22); Orlando’s sexy, singing cowboy cub CiJay Bailey, superstar realtor and selfless volunteer David Dorman (Feb. 23); songbird Megan Monesmith (Feb. 24); Orlando graphic designer Lisa Buck, Framing of Central Florida co-owner Mike vanDerLeest, Tampa artist and hairstylist Christopher nejman and Tampa’s Outings and Adventures founder Robert Geller and Vietnam Vet and Tampa Bay transgender activist Janice Carney (Feb. 25).

For more info please visit www.manateepride.com or call 941-357-0111

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N.C. coaching great Dean Smith dies at 83 Wire Report

D

ean Smith, the coaching innovator who won two national championships at North Carolina, an Olympic gold medal in 1976, an induction into basketball’s Hall of Fame more than a decade before he left the bench, and built a church that supported LGBT issues has died. He was 83.

The retired coach died peacefully at his North Carolina home Feb. 7, the school said in a statement from Smith’s family. He was with his wife and five children.

Smith had health issues in recent years, with the family saying in 2010 he had a condition that was causing him to lose memory. He had kept a lower profile during that time. His wife, Linnea, accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom on his behalf from President Barack Obama in November 2013.

Roy Williams, the current North

Carolina coach who spent 10 years as Smith’s assistant, said Smith ``was the greatest there ever was on the court but far, far better off the court with people.’’ ``I’d like to say on behalf of all our players and coaches, past and present, that Dean Smith was the perfect picture of what a college basketball coach should have been,’’ Williams said in a statement. ``We love him and we will miss him.’’

In a career that spanned more than 40 years, Smith coached the likes of Michael Jordan and James Worthy and influenced the game and how it is played in ways that are unrivaled.

His “Four Corners’’ time-melting offense led to the creation of the shot clock to counter it. He was the first coach at North Carolina, and among the first in the segregated South, to offer a scholarship to a black athlete. The now-common “point to the passer,’’ in which a scorer acknowledges a teammate’s

On court advocate:

Dean Smith not only fought hard on the basketball court, but he also fought for equality through his church.

Photo courtesy UNC.edu.

assist, started in Chapel Hill and became a hallmark of Smith’s always humble ``Carolina Way.’’ As progress advanced into LGBT issues, Smith continued leading the way for equality.

Smith’s church served as a base for his advocacy. He joined the

Baptist congregation soon after arriving in Chapel Hill, helping build it from a 60-person gathering on campus to a full church with 600 parishioners. It was booted from the Southern Baptist Convention and the North Carolina Baptist State Convention in 1992 for licensing a gay man to minister.

“He was willing to take controversial stands on a number of things as a member of our church—being against the death penalty, affirming gays and lesbians, protesting nuclear proliferation,’’ said Robert Seymour, the former pastor at Binkley Baptist Church.

“He was one who has been willing to speak out on issues that many might hesitate to take a stand on.’’

Professionally, the numerical record of his accomplishments is staggering. His only losing season came in his first, and he left the game having surpassed Kentucky’s Adolph Rupp as the winningest men’s basketball coach in Division I history.

Smith remained in the background after his retirement, keeping an office at the Dean E.

Smith Center—the arena that opened while he was still coaching in 1986. He often consulted North Carolina players as they considered whether to leave school early for the NBA, and would occasionally watch Williams direct practice and take notes. He was hesitant to give them to his former assistant, fearful of suggesting something that might not work.

Though he never ran for office, Smith also helped shape political and social views in North Carolina as coach of the state’s beloved Tar Heels. At the urging of his pastor, he recruited blacks to his team, and in 1967 made Charlie Scott the first black scholarship athlete at North Carolina and one of the first in the South.

He was active in politics, often supporting Democrats and liberal candidates. He donated money to the presidential campaigns of Howard Dean and Bill Bradley, and supported former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards—a North Carolina alumnus—in his two presidential bids before later endorsing Barack Obama.

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