Watermark Issue 23.10: Orlando's Big Gay Weekend Preview

watermark Your LGBT Life.

iSSUe 23.10 • maY 19 - JUne 1, 2016 • waTermarkonLine.com

How to

get around!

Making the most of your Big Gay Weekend in Central Florida daytOna beach • OrlandO • tampa • st. petersburg • clearwater • sarasOta

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watermark Your LGBT life.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

Orlando 407.434.8800

Ormond Beach 386.898.0303

Winter Park 321.203.2900

departments 6 // mail 7 // editor’s desk 13 // orlando news 16 // tampa bay news 19 // state news 21 // nation & world news 29 // in-deptH 35 // arts & entertainment 41 // community calendar 43 // tampa bay out+about 45 // orlando out+about 47 // transitions/wedding bells 48 // tampa bay marketplace 50 // orlando marketplace 54 // uprisings

PAGE

16

We don’t want to stop discrimination after it happens, we want to pull homophobia, transphobia and all these bigotries up by their roots and where those roots are found are in our schools.

—EQuality Florida’s ExEcutivE dirEctor nadinE sMith during hEr “statE oF thE statE” spEEch at thE st. pEtE gala

on tHe cover

PAGE

PAGE CHOOSE

29

YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: With

so many events and so little time, Kirk Hartlage lays out a few pointers to make sure you get the most out of your big gay weekend.

scan Qr code For

watermarkonline.com

35

gentle reminder:

Drag sensation Coco Peru talks happiness as she prepares for the GayDayS stage at Parliament House.

watermark i ssue 23 .10 //may 19 - J une 1, 2016

we are Family

a very Fine House

a tale in your city

uprisings

PAGE The Orlando Gay Chorus wants the community to know they’re here, they’re queer and they’re ready to sing.

PAGE Sarasota couple Clark West and Elliott Mitchell look to make their house Our House with the city’s first LGBT center.

PAGE

PAGE

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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American Stage puts their spin on Everett Quinton’s drag-filled, one-man take on a Dickens classic.

39

Bathrooms and judges and “John Miller,” oh my!

Politics are as crazy as a Nevada Democratic State Convention!

54

it was the best OF Fringe; it was the wOrst OF Fringe. checK Out Our reviews at watermarKOnline.cOm! watermark Your LGBT life.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

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“What these people have failed to think of also is that one would no longer be able to take their toddler of opposite sex into the public restroom.

I guess they’d rather send them toddling into the men’s room unattended and hope for the best.”

Ask for a no obligation quote or review today!

—Eryn Mccarty

WatermarkOnline.com: On what not to miss at Orlando Fringe 2016:

“I guess you had limited room.”

—Doug

Mark Sheddan has joined the Italiano Team!

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ROUGH N READY FOR GAY DAYS!

On Sabrina’s column Ladyfingers: Life Lessons:

“Ha ha, battered God’s BFF! You’re fucking hilarious.”

—Thrasher

Watermark’s Facebook: On Tampa Bay Rays having their 10th Equality Florida Pride Night:

“Whitney Carroll, you should go. It’s fun. I went a couple years ago.”

—Les Stephens

“Yes, yes!”

—Whitney Carroll

On some same-sex parents being able to appear on Florida’s birth certificates:

“I called first thing yesterday morning.”

—Maria Gasper MODELS: Vinny at Parliament House Alex at Vyce

On Italy joining the rest of Europe in giving legal rights to same-sex couples:

“Viva Italia!”

—Eve Lake

1875. S. Orlando Ave., Maitland

Call Fred Berliner to set your appointment today!

(407)644-7111 ext.242 email: carbearfb@aol.com

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watermark Your LGBT life.

On North Carolina filing a lawsuit against the federal government over HB2:

“Wow, I guess North Carolina loves to lose money. More corporations pull out [which results in] loss of federal money. There is no room for bigotry in this day and age,” —John Porath

“Time for more corporations to pull out, and events.”

—Gary R. Miller

“Way to double down on bigotry, idiots!”

—Veronica Drake

On Executive director William Harper stepping down after 20 years with ASAP:

“Congratulations on a job well done. You gave 110 percent at a time it was most needed and have obviously left your mark.

May those carrying on your work give and care as much as you have, William.

Take some time for you and refresh yourself! You have an amazing family, so enjoy some time. Who knows what may be in store in the future! Bravo!”

—Patrick Flewellen

“Wow! He will really be missed. What a fantastic person William Harper is.”

—Karina Mong

“So so so proud to call William Harper my brother. What a wonderful human being he is.”

—Lisa Harper Garcia

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

“Awesome story! Happy for your brother!

Stay blessed!”

—Lissett Betances

On U.S. Justice Department saying HB2 violates federal Civil Rights Act

“What does this really mean? They got a slap on the hand. Now, when does it start costing them? Hopefully the boycotts won’t end until it is fully repealed.

There’s a huge symbolic difference between not enforcing and repealing.”

—Joe DeLustro

On Jamie Hyman’s column Ally Agenda: Meeting in the Ladies Room:

“What these people have failed to think of also is that one would no longer be able to take their toddler of opposite sex into the public restroom.

I guess they’d rather send them toddling into the men’s room (or ladies’ room for that matter) unattended and hope for the best. And please, you know each and everyone one of these people asking for these laws have used the opposite bathroom when they didn’t want to wait in the long line.”

—Eryn McCarty

“Couldn’t have said it better myself, you prolific genius.”

—Samantha Taylor

editor’s

Billy Manes EDITOR

BIlly@WatermarkOnline.com

Y

Desk

ou can’t make this shit up.

Some 26 years ago, LGBT activists took a step into a fantasy world. Donning red shirts and hands that actually hold together, they walked out of past cultural abuses and into the open arms of a new future.

A castle worthy of a blonde named Cinderella awaited and there were plenty of small worlds to discover, some goofy moments, some animatronics to endure and even a haunted mansion. If it all sounds terribly obtuse and the wayback lens seems to be covered in Vaseline, well maybe it is. We like to dream here in Florida. And when we dream, we make things happen.

We dream big.

This month, we welcome the onslaught of all of the many machinations that comprise Gay Days. Whether it’s an official GayDayS.com situation or one of

the tentacles that has grown in its glow – One Magical Weekend, Girls in Wonderland, the grape-picking drag of your local watering hole, that guy on the side of the road with the body you always wanted – we are here to celebrate, and we’re not stopping until we fall on our faces, brush off our pants, put another layer of lip balm on and carry on up the charts. This time we know it’s for real!

I know, I know: Escapism is a tragedy waiting to happen. When I first went to the Magic Kingdom in my red best in 2000, I fell down a few flumes that didn’t even exist,

later ending up in a traffic jam that lasted at least 400 years. That small world undulates into a big one without a moment’s notice; best to grab your turkey leg and run for the false hills! But I had friends – most of whom are still around today to prop me up with various toothpicks and road signs – so I did feel the magic, unfettered. The tacit appreciation (read: economic development) from Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and other attractions and attractive people about town makes for a special kind of melting pot, one that welcomes the outside ingredients, one that even cheers outsiders on.

Sure, there are manifold excuses to close your eyes to the grand display of global visitors pricking open their eyes to the strange and fantastic world of Central Florida, but why bother? From your Disney devotees to your circuit queens, your shirtless twinks to your leather daddies, your down-the-middles to your outside rails, you can still unite in your otherness and enjoy the company. Life’s too short to cast a side-eye. There is recreation to be ignited.

In this issue you’ll find numerous escapes and distractions surrounding our guide (AND ANOTHER GUIDE INSERT IF YOU’RE IN ORLANDO!) to all of the things that are going to make your extended weekend an LGBT extravaganza. It’s always nice to have a tour guide, so kick back and let Watermark do your eye-rolling.

Being gay in a park with plastic things surrounding you isn’t everything, of course, so we’re offering a veritable sample platter of all the things you need to know in the now. In Orlando, the Orlando Gay Chorus is ramping up its efforts to be a more accessible organization via some restructuring, while in Marion County, the heated bathroom debate over transgender individuals is being taken to its next logical level by the American Civil

Liberties Union.

On the Gulf Coast, Equality Florida threw a gala at which EQFL CEO Nadine Smith mapped out new initiatives to address the bathroom issues in schools and bullying in general. Also, Sarasota has stepped up to the “now” plate with its first LGBT center, Our House. Things aren’t so bad when you have powerful people in your corner. As U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch so eloquently stated, “There is no room in our schools

From your Disney devotees to your circuit queens, your shirtless twinks to your leather daddies, your down-themiddles to your outside rails, you can still unite in your otherness and enjoy the company.

for discrimination of any kind, including discrimination against transgender students on the basis of their sex.”

Indeed.

But stick around for joy! We talk to comedian and performance artist Miss Coco Peru about hair-flips and living unreasonably in an overreasoned world. We take a gander at a reworking of A Tale of Two Cities designed to reflect the dysfunction in our own times. We canoodle with people and we celebrate life, even when it is surrounded by fantasy.

We celebrate life.

You can’t make this shit up. And we didn’t. Happy long weekend, people. Drink some water.

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watermark Your LGBT life.

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May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

contributors divine Grace

is an Orlandobased trouble maker with a forked tongue and all the charm you can imagine. Page 23

Kirk Hartlage

is an Orlandobased journalist a DJ and a former full time employee of Watermark.

He specializes in celebrity interviews. Page 29

Samantha Rosenthal

attended University of Central Florida and is a former Watermark editorial assistant. She is currently a freelance writer and regularly covers Wedding Bells. Page 47

Aaron Alper, Scottie Campbell, Susan Clary, Krista DiTucci, Kirk Hartlage, Joseph Kissel, Jason Leclerc, Mary Meeks, Stephen Miller, David Moran, Gregg Shipiro, Greg Stemm, Dr. Steve yacovelli, , Michael wanzie

photography Brian Becnel, Nick Cardello, Angie Folks, Bruce Hardin, Julie Milford, Travis Moore, Chris Stephenson, Lee Vandergrift, Tinkerfluff

distribution LVNLIF2 Distributing, Lisa Jordan, Jill Bates, Ken Carraway CONTENTS of WATERMARK are protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher.

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watermark Your LGBT life.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

central florida news

ACLU files complaint against Marion Schools over antitransgender bathroom rules Staff report

WE ARE FAMILY: At their

May 14 concert, the Orlando Gay Chorus performed family-themed songs and announced that they want to be more active members of the local LGBT community.

Photo by Jake Stevens

Communityminded Orlando Gay Chorus is restructuring and reaching out Jamie Hyman

T

he Orlando Gay Chorus wants the community to know they’re here, they’re queer and they’re ready to sing.

At their “We Are Family” concert May 14, the OGC hosted a reception after the show at the Plaza LIVE, where Artistic Director and Conductor James Rode extended an invitation to the LGBT organization representatives in attendance: The Orlando Gay Chorus is available to perform at events and fundraisers.

Watermark spoke to Rode before the show and he said they’d like to reach out to all of the local LGBT groups.

“We’re putting ourselves out there to say, ‘please get in touch with us,’” Rode says. “You don’t have to pay for something that is a fundraiser for your not-for-profit.”

In addition to reaching out, OCG is reaching in to make some changes, as well.

“This year the OGC voted to change the structure of the chorus to mirror big time arts groups around the country,” Rode says.

“We’re expanding our board to include new community members.

“The board previously was taken from the chorus, and now we’re looking for community members with business experience to serve on our board of directors.”

Rode is going into his second year as director and the chorus celebrated its 25 year anniversary last year.

“It’s just gotten so big.

[Restructuring is] kind of the next step,” he says. “We can stay at community chorus level or try to take a step to be more semi-professional. It helps with grants and funding, and we want to be a better community

member for our gay and lesbian organizations in town.”

OGC’s other outreach effort is a new education program.

Rode says they’ve invited all of Orange County’s Gay-Straight Alliance chapters to participate, and there are two presentations.

One is an “It Gets Better” type of presentation where chorus members will share their personal coming out stories and discuss them with youth. The other is a songwriting workshop that is still in development, Rode says.

“We’re trying to put together a lesson plan,” he says. “We want to encourage kids to put their thoughts into words, put them into music, then do a follow-up with how to write music.”

Rode says the workshops will be run by Linda Knutson, a songwriter and member of OGC. After performances at Orlando Fringe Festival and Gay Days, the next OGC concert is “A Lotta Night Music,” June 11 at Orlando Museum of Art. It features ensembles and chorus members performing their favorite songs from a variety of genres, plus a preview of songs from OGC’s upcoming GALA 2016 performance July 2.

For tickets or to contact Orlando Gay Chorus, visit OrlandoGayChorus.org.

watermark Your LGBT life.

T

he American Civil Liberties Union is taking the debate over the Marion School District’s bathroom ban to the feds.

On April 26, the Marion School Board voted 4-1 in favor of a policy requiring students and staff to use the restroom that matches their biological sex, regardless of gender identity.

Now, the ACLU of Florida has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Civil Rights Office stating that Marion’s rules violate anti-discrimination laws, specifically Title IX. Days after the school board vote, a transgender student was suspended from school for using a restroom consistent with his gender identity, according to the ACLU. The complaint is filed on behalf of that student.

A Title IX violation would jeopardize federal funding for the school district.

“The school district was warned that preventing transgender students from living their lives consistent with their gender identities was harmful to students and illegal.

Within days of passing their harmful anti-transgender policy, a student who has been living his life consistent with his gender identity for years is now facing disciplinary action for having done nothing other than use a school bathroom – something students do every day,” says ACLU of Florida staff attorney Daniel Tilley, who is representing the student, in a media release.

According to the ACLU, the student, who asked that his name not be released, used the men’s room at school for years without trouble up until the school board changed the district’s policies. The complaint asks the Department of Education to require the district to revise its policies, update its staff training and erase the suspension from the transgender student’s record.

On May 9, the ACLU of Florida alongside Equality Florida, Florida Legal Services, Lambda Legal, National Center for Lesbian Rights and Southern Poverty Law Center sent a letter to the Marion School Board stating that the new rules are discriminatory and harmful to students.

Central Florida’s Softball League’s Spring 2016 season, which kicked off at the end of February, hosted its final games May 29 at the Seminole Softball Complex.

There were three “open” competitive co-ed divisions, a social division and two competitive women’s divisions.

The Spring 2016 champions are:

Open Division B: Orlando Unicorns

Open Division D: Rage

Women’s Division C: DG’s Snarky B’s

Open Division C: Fury Unleashed

Social Division: Muff’n Stuff

Women’s Division D: GR’s Diamond Divas

In a letter to the league, League Commissioner Wes Hodge said CFSL started 19 years ago and now boasts nearly 600 athletes.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

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May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

watermark Your LGBT life.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

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tampa bay news

Our House looks to be Sarasota’s first LGBT Center Jeremy Williams

S

arasota | Sarasota couple Clark West and Elliott Mitchell are spearheading an effort to bring the city its first LGBT community center called Our House.

“It’s taken from the old Crosby, Stills and Nash song of the same name,” Mitchell says. “Our picture for it is that it is exactly what the name says: It is the LGBT community’s house and it would serve a lot of different needs.”

Mitchell, who is a real estate developer, and husband West, a licensed mental health counselor, have been home owners in Sarasota since 1999. They became permanent residents in 2007.

“About a year ago, we decided we wanted to focus our philanthropic efforts in our area, so we came up with the idea of an LGBT Center in Sarasota, which has never had one, modeled somewhat after those found throughout the country,” Mitchell says.

As the couple attempted to get Our House started last year, they could not find enough funding to get it off the ground.

“My partner and I decided that we’ll just start it ourselves. We’ll find a building and open the doors and we’ll get it cranked up and let evolve into what the community wants it to be,” Mitchell says.

Mitchell and West hope Our House will become a resource center for the Sarasota LGBT community.

“We are not political; we do not do any kind of medical testing or anything like that,” Mitchell says. “Our single purpose is to invite you in, find out what it is that you are lacking and point you to a resource that probably already exists that you weren’t aware of.”

Mitchell and West hoped to have Our House’s doors opened in July, but issues with the location forced the couple to seek out a new facility to house the center.

“I would expect that in the next 60 days we will have selected a site, and by early fall, we will be in that location,” Mitchell says aiming for a Labor Day weekend opening.

While Mitchell says the center will evolve to meet the community’s needs, in the beginning they hope to focus on three key areas: LGBT youth, the elderly and HIV-positive individuals.

“We were negotiating with ALSO Youth to include them in the center before pulling out of the old location,” Mitchell says. “The expectation is that once we move into a new facility that ALSO Youth will move in with us.”

Mitchell also helps to get the word out to ever growing LGBT retirement community about the services Our House will be able to offer.

“The over-65 group makes up a large part of the Sarasota LGBT community,” Mitchell says. “Many of them have been together for decades but are not married and without wills.

West currently leads HIV-positive group sessions with Community AIDS Network (CAN) and looks to bring similar group counseling to the center.

“At the end of the day, we just want to be whatever the community needs,” Mitchell says.

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GALA GOALS:

Executive Director Nadine Smith lays out Equality Florida’s plan to fight school bullying in her “state of the State” address at the St. Pete Gala.

Photo by Laurie Ross

For the kids Equality Florida takes school bullying to class at St. Petersburg Gala Jeremy Williams

S

t. Petersburg | Equality Florida broke records while taking a bold stand against school bullying at the Greater St. Petersburg Gala at the Mahaffey Theater May 7.

Equality Florida exceeded its goal of $300,000, bringing in a total of $327.956 in donations for the evening. They also set an attendance record selling out the event with more than 600 guests attending the annual fundraiser.

Equality Florida celebrated several members in the community for their tireless efforts in the fight for LGBT equality. They honored Chris Rudisill and Ashley Brundage with the Voice for Equality Award and presented St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman with the Straight Ally for Equality Award.

The boldest speech of the evening came from Equality Florida’s Executive Director Nadine Smith as she issued challenges to everyone in the room to stand up against hate, bigotry and most notably school bullying.

“We have seen hundreds of antiLGBT bills introduced all over the country, and Florida is no exception.

We had a bill that was worse in so many ways than the one in North Carolina,” Smith told the crowd.

watermark Your LGBT life.

Smith was referencing House Bill 401, Florida’s “religious freedom” bill introduced this past legislative session, which, among other things, would have allowed healthcare providers to turn away patients if they objected to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

“The good news is that billed died in Florida. As a former reporter, let me edit that: We killed that bill in Florida,” Smith said.

Smith said that stopping these antiLGBT bills from becoming law must not start at the legislative sessions but must start in the schools.

“As proud as I am about the policy changes we have fought for over these last two decades, the real fight is changing the culture. We don’t want to stop discrimination after it happens, we want to pull homophobia, transphobia and all these bigotries up by their roots and where those roots are found are in our schools,” Smith said.

In the state of Florida, roughly two-thirds of schools do not offer protection policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity, and of those that offer them, only one sets the national standard for excellence, according to Smith.

“I would love to tell you it’s Pinellas, but it is actually Broward. The good news is this: what was done in

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

Broward can be done here and in all 67 counties in the state and anywhere in the country,” Smith said.

Equality Florida worked with Broward County, Miami and West Palm to bring all the school districts together in a conference called All Together Florida to school them on the model Broward County schools are following.

“At the last gathering of All Together Florida, we took this quantum leap,” Smith said. “Suddenly we had enough school districts in the building listening that they represented 75 percent of the students, and they are asking questions.”

Smith made a call to action that Equality Florida was ready to take the next step in making the schools in Florida safe: not only for LGBT kids, but for all students.

Smith says Equality Florida initially needed to raise an additional $100,000 in funds to advance the project.

“In the midst of this gathering of wonderful people, two remarkable women stepped forward and said, ‘Tell us more about this, because these kids can’t wait another year,’” Smith said.

Equality Florida donors Ellen Cotton and Kate Tiedemann offered to match dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000 what the organization could raise. At press time Equality Florida had already raised $30,000.

“Now, not all of us want to get married, many of us will never experience discrimination in the workplace, but all of us went to school and we now have an obligation,” Smith said. “They have directed their rage for our victories and they have turned it in its harshest form on the youngest among us. It is our job to take up that challenge.”

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May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

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HAROLD EDGERTON , American (1907–1990), SHOOTING THE APPLE, 1964, Stroboscopic dye transfer print, Gift of Dr. Robert L. and Chitranee Drapkin, 1985.32.3 © 2010 MIT. Courtesy of MIT Museum

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watermark Your LGBT life.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

state news

Some same-sex parents can appear on Florida’s birth certificates Jamie Hyman

I

t looks like the Florida Department of Vital Statistics is taking a step toward making things right.

Although same-sex marriage has been legal in Florida since Jan. 6, 2015, the state has been dragging its feet when it comes to the rights of legally married, same-sex parents to both appear on their children’s birth certificates.

There’s no official word from the state yet, but on May 9, Jacksonville attorney Carrington Madison Mead released an announcement stating that she spoke to a representative in Vital Statistics who reported that for children born after Jan. 6, 2015, birth certificates

can be immediately updated to include both parents’ names.

Mead’s statement indicates that the certificates will still read “Mother” and “Father” until the state is able to update its system.

Additionally, the department is still rolling out a way to correct birth certificates for children born to married couples before Jan. 6, according to Mead’s statement.

Jen West, who is raising two children with her wife, Tatiana Quiroga, called the state and successfully added Quiroga’s name to their son’s birth certificate. He was born March 1, 2016. However, they still plan to move forward with Quiroga’s adoption of their son because they have travel planned for Alabama and North Carolina, states where the issue of samesex parent birth certificate

recognition is still under debate.

“It’s huge,” West says. “We’re finally getting recognized.

It’s really frustrating because we’re still in the middle of an adoption, and we still have to do an adoption because other states have all these cases pending and don’t want to recognize birth certificates. While it’s huge for us, we still have to do the adoption.”

Quiroga has successfully adopted their first son, born in 2011.

Still, West says it’s an exciting step forward.

“It’s a big step for insurance, for hospitals and for recognition,” she says. “You want to be the parent when you go to the hospital. It’s progress.

Progress is good.”

While Quiroga and West are going through with the

we are family: Jennifer West (left) was able to get her wife, Tatiana Quiroga, named on their second child’s birth certificate by contacting the Florida Department of Vital Statistics.

Photo by Amy Lynn Kirsch with Four Birds Photography

adoption, Michael Morris, an Orlando attorney who frequently represents same-sex couples in adoptions, says for many people the Florida update will mean that a second-parent adoption

isn’t necessary.

“Nobody else is claiming to be the father, they’re a married couple and no one would put their names on the birth certificate? That’s outright discrimination,” Morris says.

“Florida has a long history of presuming legitimacy of the child, that the child is the child of both parents in the marriage,” he adds, stating that the state’s initial refusal to print both parents’ names on birth certificates “flew in the face of that.”

The Florida Department of Vital Statistics has not yet returned Watermark’s request for an interview, but West says the representative she spoke to told her the Department created a task force to solve the problem.

In August, three lesbian couples filed a lawsuit fighting to have both their names printed. Mary Meeks, an Orlando attorney who is involved in the lawsuit, says a settlement is pending and they expect a judgment any day.

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May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

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May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

nation+world news

President Obama to schools: allow transgender students bathroom access Wire Report

W

ashington | Public schools must permit transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their chosen gender identity, according to an Obama administration directive issued amid a court fight between the federal government and North Carolina.

The guidance from leaders at the Departments of Education and Justice says public schools are obligated to treat transgender students in a way that matches their gender identity, even if their education records or identity documents indicate a different sex.

“There is no room in our schools for discrimination of any kind, including discrimination against transgender students on the basis of their sex,” Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in a statement

accompanying the directive, which was sent to school districts May 13.

In issuing the guidance, the Obama administration is wading anew into a socially divisive debate it has bluntly cast in terms of civil rights. The Justice Department sued North Carolina over a bathroom access law that it said violates the rights of transgender people, a measure that Lynch likened to policies of racial segregation and efforts to deny gay couples the right to marry.

The guidance does not impose any new legal requirements. But officials say it’s meant to clarify expectations of school districts that receive funding from the federal government. Educators have been seeking guidance on how to comply with Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs and activities that receive federal funding, Education Secretary John B. King said in a statement.

Your ear w m i Sw

&

House Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott issued a statement after the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice released joint guidance to help provide educators the information they need to ensure that all students can attend school in an environment free from discrimination based on sex.

“The Departments of Education and Justice should be commended for releasing this important guidance regarding the rights of transgender students in educational facilities. The timing of this guidance can help to quell the unfounded fears that have been spurred by damaging bills in some states. This guidance can also help schools to familiarize themselves with the expectations of the law, so that they may intelligently protect the rights and dignity of transgender students and, indeed, all students,” the statement read.

The U.S. Justice Department lawsuit was filed May 9 just hours after North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory filed his own lawsuit over the law.

in other news Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore suspended over marriage ruling Chief Justice Roy Moore was suspended from his job May 6 and faces possible ouster over his attempts to block gay marriage in Alabama following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that effectively legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The Court of the Judiciary will decide whether Moore violated judicial ethics, and he could be removed from office if found guilty.

Italy joins the rest of Europe in giving legal rights to same-sex couples Italy has joined the rest of Europe in giving some legal rights to gay couples. The lower Chamber of Deputies voted 369-193 with two abstentions May 11 to approve legislation already passed in February by the Senate.

Gay rights activists hailed the vote as historic, given that Italy was the last of the European Union’s 28 nations to grant legal recognition to civil unions. But they voiced disappointment that the government had sacrificed a provision to allow gay adoption to ensure passage. The legislation grants recognition of same-sex couples, but it stops far short of authorizing gay marriage.

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May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

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watermark Your LGBT life.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

viewpoint

Divine Grace

Sweet

Divinity Gays and days

H

ello, Dolls.

I have been asked by the powers-that-be at Watermark to introduce myself, and let you, our gentle readers, in on the tragic magic that is “The Divine Grace.” If you thought that all I’m about is bad hair and substance abuse issues, think again!

There’s also poor decision making and a troubling lack of anger management!

What that boils down to is basically a transvestite Harvey Wallbanger who finds herself writing this column in an attempt to fulfill a community service obligation. You’re welcome.

Born and reared (more than once) in the Great Smokey Mountains of North Carolina, I spent my childhood in a little town near the Tennessee border. It was just moments away from the location in Deliverance where Ned Beatty’s “purty mouth” landed him anal with a local who enjoyed hog-calling more than a dental plan. My rural Appalachian hometown wasn’t prepared for something as fabulous and, well, literate as myself.

That was unfortunate for me. Fortunately for YOU, however, the incessant slings and arrows hurled at me during my formative years allowed me to amass an incredibly smart mouth and enough staircase wit to climb Kilimanjaro.

I spent a decade in New York City performing and strengthening that classic sense of undeserved entitlement that only living in the “Big Apple” can.

During that time, I settled down with an abusive and codependent asshole who helped me to trade the last of my pesky sweetness for a series of dirty looks and evil glances that have been known to make mothers scoop up their screaming children and bolt away. The simple business of living has assisted in sharpening my short temper and bad attitude. What that means is that I am basically passing all of the savings on to you. I will do all of the heavy griping and bitching so that you don’t have to. Isn’t that sweet of me? I give too much.

For instance: Gay Day at Disney. Initially, let me say that the irony of this title is not lost on me. Each year, 150,000 LGBT travelers invade America’s most beloved theme park, which is roughly half the number of bearded Disney Princesses under the employ of Walt and his rodent. Between the actors, atmosphere performers and dancers, there is a Gay Pride parade at Disney World every day, whether you want it or not. Don’t believe me?

Ask an employee what the name of the indoor boat ride is, and see how many wet “S”s are spat at you when he says, “It’s a Small World.”

Pack a poncho.

And I hope that the actresses portraying Disney witches are getting a bonus, because nobody loves an evil queen from a Disney cartoon more than some queen from Jersey shrieking, “YAAAAAAASSS, hunty!”

Maleficent will be working double-duty until her horns are dull nubs dangling loosely from her sad green head. Even

the animatronic cast at The Country Bear Jamboree are probably forced to have their nipples pierced and Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” at the ready for the sing-a-long.

I haven’t attended GayDayS since 2001, so I’m sure much has changed. I do hope that there is still the time-honored

emphasizes the five workouts per week that dual incomes and no children make possible.

I assume the Florida Family Association will once again be filling the sky with flying banners that caution the citizens of Orlando that GayDayS is coming. I know that it’s usually the person

Orlando has to, it seems. Have a wonderful time and stay safe. And if you have learned anything from this column, please let it be that you have the OK to publically violate a popsicle in such a way that offends people of any sexual orientation who identify as “straight-acting”. You also have

tradition of heterosexuals discovering that a red T-shirt is code for “I’m a Homo!” as they bolt into the nearest gift shop, hands up, hissing “That’s disgusting” to purchase an overpriced white garment with an image of Donald Duck on it, pantless. Even more exciting is the level of creativity gay men muster when discovering ways to alter a red T-shirt so that it

raising the biggest stink about gay people who ends up being a glittered sausage smoker, but when your method of warning somebody involves copying the Wicked Witch of the West’s warning for Dorothy Gayle to surrender, it might be time to put down the Bible and brush off that Judy Garland impression, queen.

As for me? I’ll be working.

At Disney. Everybody in

my full permission to scream like a little girl at everything inside the Haunted Mansion, because you earned it every time you had to wait in that same line with a cheerleading squad from Peoria and didn’t take a hostage.

Amen, The Divine Grace

Between the actors, atmosphere performers and dancers, there is a Gay Pride parade at Disney World every day, whether you want it or not.

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May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

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watermark Your LGBT life.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

and Vegeterian Cuisine Greek, Mediterranean,

viewpoint

Rick Claggett, Publisher

w o r d s

to live by Celebrate

J

une is busting out all

over. It’s the month of my people. I know we aren’t quite there yet, but it is time to prepare. Before this issue leaves the stands, we will be swimsuit deep into pool parties, GayDayS, One Magical Weekend and Girls in Wonderland with Polk County Pride and St. Pete Pride on the horizon.

Celebrate! Enjoy it!

June is also a big month for my family: birthdays, anniversaries, Father’s Day and such. My parents, not being gay, inevitably schedule some big family gathering during one of those big gay events listed above. After several Junes of trying to balance family parties and gay celebrations, I decided to tell my family they were “gay blocking” me and I’d catch up with them in July. Lately, I just incorporate my family in the gay fun. Last year, I took my straight brother to Riptide at Typhoon Lagoon. It was hilarious, because he kept saying under his breath, “Man, I need to work out more.” Maybe this year my roommate and I bring the moms? Can you imagine!

Although there is much to celebrate, this year seems different, or just difficult.

The nation is angry and the internet fuels what Jon Stewart calls Chaos on Bullshit Mountain. I used

to believe that mountain was only occupied by Tea Partiers; but as if they felt left out of crazy-town, Democrats and Independents have taken up residency on the hillside.

Where does all this anger come from? Crap River. It flows from the top of Bullshit Mountain for all of us to bathe in.

You can tell who takes a dip in Crap River when otherwise normal, intelligent people seem to have jumped the shark.

Here is how it works: A leading presidential candidate says he’d like to punch a protester in the face. Before you know it, people are punching protesters in the face.

Leaders tell you the current state is dire and they have the plan to change it. They use words like socialist, millennials and establishment as if they are bad things. Some socialist programs are great. Not all millennials are lazy and entitled. Sometimes the establishment is the way it is because of decades of experience. There is a reason a political party has a closed primary. New York didn’t block 3 million independent people from voting. Rather, 3 million people didn’t register correctly so they could vote for their candidate.

Lesson learned.

Politicians play into our fears, because that’s how the system works.

They have to make you feel afraid and make you believe they are the only solution for your safety.

We buy into it and take to Facebook like it’s the beaches of Normandy.

Decorum and respect have gone to the toilet. I just hope they were allowed to go to the bathroom they identify with.

The hottest hot-button item at the moment is North Carolina Law HB2, another example of fear floating down Crap River into the masses. Anti-LGBT

politicians pass a law that undermines LGBT rights.

Then groups like The Liberty Counsel support HB2 under the pretense of protecting women and children. They convince you that the law is not about transgender people, but about men saying they are transgender in order to

suggesting she will carry a gun into the bathroom.

What could possibly go wrong with that?

The reality is that transgender people using the restrooms matching their identity is a non-issue.

Opponents are creating a hypothetical problem to scare you, literally sending

are not the perverts.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the negativity, in the anger. It’s easy to yell with a keyboard in a comment section. The difficult part is staying positive and embracing what is good rather than condemning what is bad.

So, celebrate this

gain access to women and children in the bathroom.

Next, companies like Target react, saying they are inclusive of LGBT rights and will let individuals use the restrooms with which they identify.

Seemingly intelligent people are now claiming Target is letting men into the women’s restroom.

We now have citizens policing bathrooms and the Liberty Counsel President

men into the women’s room to scare you. Who is the real problem here?

If you are really afraid of your children and women being assaulted, then send them to the bathroom with someone else, or make it illegal for people to attack women and children.

Right, that already is illegal. If your fight is with perverts, then fight the perverts. Let’s not degrade transgender people. They

pride season. Celebrate the true meaning of Gay Day at Disney. Celebrate pride in the spirit of those that rioted at Stonewall.

Celebrate your youth, celebrate your wisdom and celebrate your body the way you want to celebrate. Celebrate with responsibility and respect for yourself and others.

Cut through the crap and celebrate!

Although there is much to celebrate, this year seems different, or just difficult.

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May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

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watermark Your LGBT life.

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May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

17.5 OF FILMS

talking points I believe that everyone should be allowed to speak their truth and just say what they want to say and show the world who they are. You should be able to love whomever you fucking well please.

%

RELEASED by majOr studiOs IN 2015 CONTAINED

CHARACTERS whO were LESBIAN, GAY OR BISEXUAL. 1 MAJOR STUDIO FILM Featured a

TRANSGENDER

CHARACTER, an increase FrOm the previOus year.

—GLAAD study

— —AMERICAN CRIME STORY’ STORY’s sarah paulson, spEaking about thE onlinE rEsponsE to hEr dating actrEss holland taylor, who is 32 yEars oldEr.

HAMILTON sets anOther recOrd with 16 tOny award nOminatiOns

T

hE MEgahit Musical HAMILTON has grabbEd a record-breaking 16 Tony Award nominations, the biggest haul in Broadway history and another notch in the show’s march into theatrical history. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hip-hopflavored biography about the first U.S. treasury secretary broke the 15-nominations record held by The Producers and Billy Elliot. Hamilton was nominated in virtually every category it could compete in, from acting to scenic design. Hamilton will compete for Broadway’s biggest crown – Best New Musical – with Bright Star, School of Rock, Shuf�le Along and Waitress. The best play category is populated by Eclipsed, The Father, The Humans and King Charles III. The awards will be handed out June 12, with James Corden playing host from the Beacon Theatre.

ARROW star cOltOn haynes cOmes Out as gay

F

ryan murphy brings epic jOan crawFOrd/ bette davis FEUD tO Fx

orMEr ARROW AND TEEN WOLF STAR Colton Haynes says “terminal anxiety” is what prompted him to take a break from television. The 27-year-old asked to step away from MTV’s Teen Wolf and the CW’s Arrow because he cared more about his “mental and physical health” than his career. Haynes’ anxiety was compounded in January when a reply to a blog comment was taken as him coming out. He says he’s gay, but he had never publicly spoken about his sexuality. Haynes checked into rehab for anxiety and was frequently in the hospital over the next three months. Haynes says he’s happy and healthy now and open to a return to his Arrow role.

watermark Your LGBT life.

R

yan Murphy, thE Mind bEhind such guiltyplEasurE shows as Glee and Scream Queens, announced a new series coming to FX in 2017, Feud.

Feud will follow in the tradition of Murphy’s other FX shows, American Horror Story and American Crime Story, as an anthology series. Feud will follow famous bouts and blows of epic conflicts. The first season follows the rivalry between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis during the filming of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?

Crawford and Davis will be played by Oscar winning actresses Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon, respectively.

Season One will be eight episodes long and will also feature Alfred Molina, Judy Davis and Stanley Tucci.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

darren criss heads bacK tO HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH FOr natiOnal tOur

D

arrEn criss, thE ForMEr GLEE star, is coming back to Hedwig and the Angry Inch for the show’s national run this fall.

Criss will only join the cast for the San Francisco and Los Angeles legs of the tour. A new Hedwig will be announced at a later time who will take over for Criss. Criss was one of several Hedwigs who took over from Neil Patrick Harris on Broadway last year, including Andrew Rannells, Michael C. Hall and Taye Diggs.

Written by John Cameron Mitchell and composer Stephen Trask, Hedwig is a tale of obsession, glam rock, a botched sex-change operation and a quest for identity. It was a cult hit off-Broadway and made into a 2001 film.

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watermark Your LGBT life.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

in-depth: big gay weeKend

How to

DRAG IT UP!

S

get around!

Making the most of your Big Gay Weekend in Central Florida

T

Kirk Hartlage

his ain’t our First rodEo, nor is it

our first Big Gay Weekend in the middle of the haze of somewhere we might have been before but can’t remember (thanks, 1990s). As the big GayDayS celebration and all of its surrounding festivities hit the ground running for their 26th year of red shirts, we want to make certain that you, dear reader visiting from anywhere in the world, have a sense of place in all of the many splendored places.

There’s nothing like being in the wrong place at the wrong time – mind, some of the best surprises happen there – but just to get your ducks, mice and bears in a row, we’ve compiled a partial list of potential adventures for you to choose depending on the color of your mood ring. You asked for a tour guide, right? No? Well you’re about to get one! Clearly, the whole region turns into a rainbow for this very long weekend, so if you throw a magical wand, you’re bound to find something to tickle your fancy.

Happy partying, stay safe and have a magical day or six.

watermark Your LGBT life.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

ay you’re a drag aficianado, down from Milwaukee, Wisc. – or maybe just MetroWest – who lives – LIVES! – to see as many performing crossdressers as possible. By working the best catch phrases from each season of RuPaul’s Drag Race into every aspect of your day-to-day conversations, you’ve helped make the mainstream lexicon fabulous. It’s only fitting that you pay homage to the gals who’ve given your life meaning whenever and wherever you can. You’re here for a gender-bender bender.

Thankfully for you, it’s nearly impossible to attend any Big Gay Weekend event that isn’t hosted, fronted, or L. Ron Hubbard-ed by a drag queen. Hell, what’s probably the most sex-specific event – GayDayS’ Porn Bingo on Saturday evening, advertised as containing “theatrical nudity” from a trio of gay-male adult film stars – is hosted by none other than drag legend Chi Chi larue. (For the drag-allergic, we recommend hanging with the Girls in Wonderland and Tidal Wave Weekend bear groups, whose calendar of events appear to be drag-free.)

The weekend offers numerous opportunities to see numerous Drag Race alumni since Orlando is home to several of the show’s most notorious characters.

You’re drag-savvy to know that this weekend’s undiscovered second-tier performer could very well be the next headliner in RuPaul’s band of lip-sticked dancing monkeys.

By our count, there are at least 50 drag queens on display this week, so be forewarned that this kind of amazing drag race literally requires a full tank of gas.

Your quest starts Tuesday at the Gay Days Kick-Off Party at Artegon Marketplace with none cOntinued On pg. 32 |  |

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AND NOW FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Y

ou’re a Fort Lauderdalebased travelling product rep for the latest HIV treatment option who’s been to Orlando’s Big Gay Weekend more times than you can recall – or perhaps a returning WDW college program cast member who still doesn’t have enough tenure to take off the first weekend of June. In either case, your been-there-done-that attitude about the event is about to get blown up, thanks to taking the “And Now for Something Different” tour throughout the week.

You’ve heard him on the radio and seen him at Fringe, but until you’ve played games with local celeb doug ba’aser hosting, you haven’t really gotten to know Ba’aser at all. Lucky you! You’ll have three opportunities this week: Trivia Tuesday Happy Hour at the Parliament House, Trivia Wednesday evening at Hamburger Mary’s, and Bingo Saturday afternoon at Stonewall.

When was the last time you hit up a feel-good puppet show, especially THIS weekend? Orlando’s Mad Cow Theatre opens its run of Avenue Q just in time for the 26th anniversary of Gay Day with shows Wednesday through Saturday nights, plus a Sunday matinee.

You’ve likely not previously attended Thursday’s annual Taste of GayDayS event at their host hotel. While it always features samples of local beers, wines, spirits and hors d’oeuvres, this year the evening features an appearance by Food Network’s retro rad chef Emily Ellyn!

Ever play bingo with a legendary drag queen and a couple of porn stars? We thought not, so here’s your chance Saturday evening at the GayDayS host hotel with chi chi la rue, wesley woods, JJ knight and rocco steele. And in case you’re not sure just who does drag and who does porn, well, you’re likely not a fan of either, so....on to the next!

By its nature The Rocky Horror Picture Show has always been pretty gay, and the very least, incredibly campy. More so when you watch it with a shadow cast and a bag full of join-along audience participation props. In a Big Gay Weekend first you can do the Time Warp on Saturday at the GayDayS host hotel.

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|  | Drag It Up FrOm pg.29

other than former Orlandoan and Drag Race contestant Coco Montrese. From there it’s downtown to Hamburger Mary’s for your first of what will be many, many games of Drag Bingo.

Tonight’s edition is hosted by the hilarious Miss sammy & carol lee, with one of the week’s only opportunities to catch a drag performer sing live, as opposed to lip-syncing.

Wednesday offers your next round of Drag Bingo, this time at the Parliament House with former Miss Continental Elite chantel reshae. Stick around for a special Disney-themed edition of gidget galore’s Wound Up Wednesday variety show and audience games, also with tasha royale sherrington.

Wrap up the night with angelica sanchez, MrMs adrien and kai’ja adonis at Pulse’s Dorm Wednesdays show.

Thursday takes you back to the Parliament House for gidget galore’s Big Gay Game Show and Happy Hour and the resort’s annual Pleasure Island-themed/ Latin night mash-up with Lisa Lane and shantell d’Marco.

Then another college-themed night, this one at Southern Nights, with RuPaul alum roxxxy andrews, axel andrews, karl kaija-adonis winslow and nazhoni. Then try Theme Thursdays at the Revere at the M Hotel with angelica sanchez, kirk davinci dior and tashae royale sherrington.

With this many queens around there’s got to be a title and a tiara up for grabs somewhere. Friday finds pageant hopefuls compete for the title of Miss Gay Days, emceed by Coco Montrese and chi chi larue.

Zip to Hamburger Mary’s for Facebook Fridays starring the Minxx, aysia black and nicky Monet while crying a tear that RuPaul’s current tour has local gal Ginger Minj in the Midwest all weekend long. Then it’s a highspeed pub crawl between Funky Monkey (danielle hunter, chantell reshae, and susan b. whitney), Revere at The M Hotel (Divine Intervntion with sassy devine and tia devine), the Parliament House (Footlight Players darcel stevens, shantell d’Marco, Jazell barbie royale and Drag Race grad sonique), Southern Nights (roxxxy

andrews, Maya andrews, tasha long and chevelle brooks), and Pulse (angelica angelica sanchez and guests). Wrap up with One Mighty Weekend’s Cadabra After Hours with saphyre.

Fuel up, because Saturday takes your tour into overdrive.

There’s the local weeky line-up with Hamburger Mary’s Illusions Celebrity Impersonation Showcase (starring leigh shannon, crystal chambers and paige king), ), Funky Monkey’s Divas Las Vegas (with danielle hunter, chantell reshae, susan b. whitney and aysia black), ), Revere at The M Hotel’s Saturdaze (with kirk davinci dior, imani valentino, Felicity Ferrero, Faytriana Evans, beonka Evans dior and allekxa d. Evans dior), Southern Nights’ Girl: The Party (with Maya andrews, tasha long, and roxxxy andrews), ), Pulse’s Platinum (with angelica sanchez, Mimi Marks, Jahbell Meezan and shynice sanchez), Parliament House’s Footlight Players (darcel stevens, shantell d’Marco, Jazell barbie royale and sonique), and Stonewall’s Starlettes featuring chrsanthemum.

Since it’s a special weekend there’s even more drag to be found, including Ru Paul Season One fave nina Flowers DJing at One Magical Weekend’s Main Event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, chi chi larue playing porn bingo before taking the DJ decks at GayDayS’ Glow Job Main Pool Party, and tp lords taking the stage at the OMW Cadabra After Hours.

Halleloo! Sunday means Brunch and Hamburger Mary’s has been voted one of the nation’s best, thanks to the Broadway Brunch Bunch starring the Minxx and nicky Monet, with angel sheridan. Get in a last game of Drag Bingo with Miss Gay Days royalty imani valentino and harmony breeze at the GayDayS host hotel. Close out the weekend at Parliament House’s Tea Dance with the Footlight Players, get recharged with Power Infinity at OMW’s Deep party at EPCOT, before wrapping up this year’s tour with phoenix at the Cadabra After Hours, and a wellearned wave of the bedazzled checkered flag.

watermark Your LGBT life.

BECAUSE SOMETIMES THE SOUND OF MUSIC DOESN’T COME FROM A DJ’S LAPTOP

M

aybe you’re a coffee barista in from New Orleans – or possibly St. Pete’s 600 Block – who appreciates live music wherever you can find it.

And maybe that’s because your last significant relationship was with a cute guitarist you met at work; even though it didn’t work out, you’ll never forget your ex’s sense of ... rhythm.

Your tour starts at Tuesday’s GayDayS Kick-Off Party at Artegon Marketplace; you’ll feel right at home with the mall’s hipster/homespun/ craft-everything vibe. The performance from the orlando gay chorus makes a perfect opening act to the main headliners yet to come; the show also makes you shed a small tear in rememberence of Glee. Afterwards, head to the Parliament House for a performance by R&B singer chante Moore, there for the resort’s biggest hip-hop party of the year.

Wednesday takes you to Pulse for a concert by dancepop artist neon hitch, who’ll feel right at home in Central Florida this week since she was raised in a family of

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

circus performers.

You’ll set up camp at the Parliament House for the most part of the remainder of your trip. Its entertainment line-up includes sets by Erika Jayne on Friday, deborah cox on Saturday, and the double bill of Estelle and betty who on Sunday. (Cox should be the big draw here, fresh off a lead performance in the Sarasota world premiere of a musical based on the life of Josephine Baker, and just prior to starring in a national tour of the musical theatre adaptation of “The Bodyguard.”)

In between, though, there’s a quick trip to One Magical Weekend’s Saturday Main Event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to catch club diva beth sacks open for headline maker kesha (she dropped the “$”). The performance is an expected follow-up to a recently announced “statement performance” at the Billboard Music Awards about her drama with producer Dr. Luke.

Then on Sunday night, diva kristine w will be your light, then walk away, as she is wont to do. OMW, indeed!

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

OH, THE PLACES

YOU’LL GO! Some key websites to get your party on properly

WHERE MY LADIES AT Y

ou’re a full-time assemblyline foreman/part-time volunteer fireman in from Dayton, Ohio – or maybe a media relations coordinator in from Tampa – who’s recently decided to embrace his place in the LGBT community. Beefy, chunky, stocky, testosteroned – however you or anyone wants to call it, you’re a bear and hoping to hang with any related members of the species.

Your bear quest starts Tuesday at Parliament House’s appropriately named Bear Den for Bearaoke, hosted by cubby kJ pat and bears in the city. On Wednesday head to Stonewall’s SkyBar, a unique open-air bar that overlooks the downtown skyline, as well as the ongoing construction of Orlando’s new professional soccer stadium next door. Besides ogling the hunky construction workers, you can take part in taylor’s Fun house happy hour, sponsored by the Orlando City Bear Club and hosted by dJ cap’n kirk. It’s a mix of games tonight, including Trivia, Single Parent Family Feud, and some Disney-flavored Heads-Up for sure.

Throughout the weekend there are lots and lots of bearfriendly pool parties to be found

at both the GayDayS and Tidal Wave host hotels. The biggest of them all will be Thursday’s Tidal Wave kickoff when the OCBC and dJ cap’n kirk bring their unique brand of fun and games to the LBV Holiday Inn. On Friday, head to the last-ever Tidal Wave party at Wet ‘n’ Wild, as that water park closes later this year to make room for a new volcano-themed water park at Universal. Now in its 10th year, the party traditionally sees 1000 bears, cubs, otters, gorillas, wolves, silver foxes, giraffes and more in attendance (oh my!).

If you still need soaking, head to riptide at typhoon lagoon, where organizers have promised a separate Bear Lagoon area/containment zone/mix-and-mingle section for you and your fellow critters.

On Saturday at the Magic Kingdom, make sure you don’t miss the annual bear migration that takes place at the country bear Jamboree, typically after noon, where homo sapien bears gather to watch those of Species Audio-Animatronic.

Y

ou’re a fun-loving line cook down from Saugatuck, Mich.

– or maybe just in from the coast – wondering where the ladies at! You’ve been here before and usually divided your time between Girls at GayDays events and Girls in Wonderland activities. Alas, the former has apparently thrown in the towel, so your journey begins by checking in to the Sheraton LBV, the girls in wonderland host

hotel, and going anywhere and everywhere they tell you to go. You WILL listen!

Some things you might not want to miss include the cheaters live at the Abbey in Downtown Orlando on Friday at the Abbey, because those girls draw all the hottest lesbians and the grooviest grinds. ruby rose from Orange is the New Black (among other international media vehicles) will be paying a

GayDayS.com onemagicalweekend.com tidalwaveparty.com girlsinwonderland.com parliamenthouse.com hamburgermarys.com/orlando stonewallorlando.com funkymonkeywine.com revereorlando.com southernnightsorl.com pulseorlandoclub.com theimprovorlando.com madcowtheatre.com abbeyorlando.com ilovedrip.com visit to Tier Nightclub downtown on June 3 (don’t wear stripes!).

Also, on Friday and Saturday, you’ll find an all-female paint-drop dancing extravaganza from the ladies of drip at the Color Bar on I-Drive; there will be an all-female love triangle and plenty of skin.

DJ Freshmat follows up the event with an after party, so, hey, don’t be a drip. Make your own splash zone, ladies.

LAUGHTER MAKES THE BEST MEDICINE

S

crew gay marriage! You’re a recently divorced mid-level manager from Cedar Rapids, Iowa – or perhaps Ormond Beach – who needs a getaway from dividing up the stacks of Now That’s What I Call Music CDs and finalizing visitation rights to the local gay bars. Frankly, you need a good laugh, and this weekend is the place to get it.

Your “Screw you, Chris” tour starts at Wednesday’s Pink Collar Comedy Show at the Orlando Improv Comedy Club. Jeff Jones and trixie deluxxe will have you in stitches, and carol lee will make you realize that, despite your

watermark Your LGBT life.

break-up, there are indeed people out there more bitter than you.

Friday night with Miss coco peru at the Parliament House should be the perfect cure for what ails you: her seminar/show, “A Gentle Reminder: Coco’s Guide To A Somewhat Happy Life” will provide step-by-step instructions on easing you back into singledom with at least a halfway decent attitude.

(And if one lesson isn’t enough, you can get a refresher course again on Saturday.)

On Saturday you’ll relate to suzanne wesenhoefer and her non-scripted, pull-no-punches take on life; catch her at Girls

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

in Wonderland host hotel, the Sheraton LBV Resort. From there, head to the Parliament House for a rare live uncensored trip to Sandyland with sandra bernhard.

Close out your comeback comedy tour on Sunday with the snarky wit of Last Comic Standing finalist brad loekle at the Parliament House. Hopefully by night’s end, after a five-show laugh-fest, you’ll be ready to take a fresh look at separating out the collection of collectible snowglobes ... or perhaps shatter them against the walls of your own chuckle-hut. It’s all good.

33

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May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

arts and entertainment

IT BURNS The lovely and talented miss cOcO peru brings somewhat happy life advice to your gay weekend

“o

Billy Manes

h, hEllo!”

Certainly most of the “Coco-puffs” living in the hilarious wake of Miss Coco Peru’s genius are familiar with this lilt of a welcome, whether by way of misscocoperu.com or just the random noises jangling in their heads on those really rough walks of shame. Miss Coco is actually Clinton Leupp, a drag performer with that odd hint of humility not typically ascribed to our favorite ladies of the night.

Over the phone, Peru – or Leupp – is exactly as you would expect: congenial, seemingly surprised, loving and down to earth. After two decades of blessing the stage and the screens (whichever ones fit in your small apartment), Peru is making her way to Florida.

She’s been here before, so she’s not in for any big surprises. She’s excited!

“Yes, I actually love Orlando because my grandparents moved to Casselberry probably in

watermark Your LGBT life.

the very late ‘60s or 1970, so I used to go to Orlando at least once a year, sometimes twice a year,” the lady divines. “Growing up in the Bronx, not only was Disney World a total fantasy, but even Orlando was a fantasy because my aunt and uncle also moved there. My grandparents lived by a lake. The roads back then were all sand – there was no pavement – so I’ve always had this romantic thing with Orlando.”

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

Oh, Sandy. At any rate, following the fame that was achieved through cult films like Trick and Girls Will Be Girls, along with a host of standup accolades, Peru will bring her perfected red bob to Parliament House for a night among the celebratory gays of June.

We’re excited. So is Coco.

We should Coco.

Somebody get the phone.

Oh, hello.

cOntinued On pg. 37 |  |

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May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

|  | Coco Peru FrOm pg.35

WATERMARK: let’s delve bacK intO yOur histOry. hOw did yOu cOme intO the character OF miss cOcO initially? coco perU: I had studied to be an actor in college and realized pretty quickly after graduating that I was never going to be cast because I was just too gay at that time, and there were really no gay roles in theater or TV. In the early ‘90s, things had started to change, activism was really popular, gay people were finding their voices. I met a drag queen in Peru and I was so impressed with her ability to sort of become the RuPaul of Peru and be celebrated in that very homophobic country at the time.

There’s something powerful about drag, and once I said that to myself, it was like the whole world opened up to me and I finally had a path. It really felt like a religious calling to me, and I think on some level it was really healing for me, finally embracing what really had been a torture my whole life, which was being effeminate and being made fun of in the Bronx. Nothing could stop me. yOu bring up the rupaul mainstream drag evOlutiOn. the way that drag culture has grOwn intO televisiOn – are yOu inspired by that? dO yOu thinK RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE is an eFFective cOmmunicatOr?

I cannot believe that a show like RuPaul’s is on TV. Not because it doesn’t deserve to be, but because coming from where I came from, you always think, “I chose a career that is going to be, you know, underground for the most part,” although it was always my goal to bring drag into the world not just for a gay community, but for anyone who wanted to listen to my story. At the time, no one was really doing what I do, which is autobiographical storytelling onstage. So it’s just amazing to me how much drag has become a part of, I don’t wanna say mainstream society, but it’s on TV and that’s really amazing! it’s alsO the gO-tO aFFair FOr drinKing ladies at bachelOrette parties. dOes that get tO be a bit much?

I’m not crazy about that, I have to be honest. They’re kind of annoying and screechy. And every once in a while when I perform at Parliament House, those bridal parties want to come see my show, and I encourage them not to because my show is not for them. what has yOur perFOrmance

it-burns thing is yOur genius idea? i still say it tO everybOdy every day. nOt that there’s everything wrOng with that.

It’s just amazing to me how much drag has become a part of, I don’t wanna say mainstream society, but it’s on TV and that’s really amazing!

I was so happy when that got a laugh because I was, like, “Oh my God, I wrote that!” I remember the first time seeing it at Sundance, and people were laughing through the whole monologue. It was so satisfying, because they were laughing at things that I wrote, and the performance. I cried myself to sleep the night we filmed that, because I thought I did a terrible job, but that movie was a great experience. And then Girls Will Be Girls: Richard Jay, who directed that, he knew of me, he had seen my shows, so when he included me as that character, he wrote – I think he tapped into that part of Coco that is always frustrated and put upon. I remember filming that and thinking, “I’m not funny in this movie!” I was insecure for a couple of days, but then I decided I was going to play it for real. I was going to play Coco as if she was just a real woman. have yOu thOught OF wOrKing Outside OF the drag wOrld again?

—coco pEru

i should coco: Miss Coco Peru on the mainstreaming of drag. PHOTO By STEPHEn DE LA CRuZ evOlved intO at this pOint? yOur stand-up Or yOur presentatiOn?

Well, I’m still doing autobiographical stories, but with this show in particular – just as a reminder, I think when I started doing the YouTube videos (and not that I do that often; I don’t have time to make them and I often get kicked out of the stores I go into) – I think having done them introduced me to a whole new generation of people. People who don’t have the opportunity to come to a bigger city to see my show, so that when they finally do they’re getting a whole new side of Coco that they’re like, “I can’t believe what you do!” They find it not only funny, but they find it inspirational and even moving. i Feel liKe that’s such an amazing place in the drag wOrld: tO nOt be OFFensive FOr the saKe OF the jOKe.

When I started doing drag, it was so healing for me and it was so much fun, but on a deeper level for me, like I said, it just opened up the world to me, and it really taught me – and this

is what I wanted always my message to be –that we not only get to create.

I not only got to create Coco as a drag queen, I realized that Coco was really just a metaphor for my whole life. I got to create my whole life, and we do that every day we wake up. So many people feel put upon or stuck, and drag taught me that we have this gift to create. That’s always been something I wanted to share.

i just Finished watching 20 STEPS TO MAKING TEA Online and laughed and laughed and laughed. i heard yOu just Finished maKing a tv pilOt. is that sOmething that’s actually happening?

Yeah, we were actually at a meeting last night just with some friends at my house talking about how to proceed because, honestly, it isn’t easy to sell a show that’s hosted by a drag queen. Unless something sounds like a moneymaker, I don’t think Hollywood is banging at your door; they’re usually just closing it in your face. So we’re trying to figure out what would be the best kind of show. It’s basically an

watermark Your LGBT life.

interview show with my guest, and like my show, it’s funny, and it can also be moving. I’m always interested in people’s stories of how they got from their childhood to where they are and the choices that they made, and I find even with my shows that’s what connects us all.

We all have a story. hOw much invOlvement dO yOu have in the presentatiOn OF yOur cOcO in Other peOple’s wOrK, in the Film and tv appearances? dO they write thOse parts FOr yOu?

Well, as far as Trick, that came about in a very weird way. I got to be in that movie because I did a reading – I did a friend a favor – and I did a reading of this movie so they could start to raise money, and I played the starring role. And everybody said, “Oh my god, she’s so funny. Keep her in the movie.”

They wrote a scene for me, and then they were nice enough to let me re-write it with my own take on that monologue, so that really came from me. sO the cum-in-yOur-eye-

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

Oh no, no. If something came along, obviously. At this point I think it would be a big challenge, but I would be open to that. I’m not pursuing it actively, because my mother once said to me when I was thinking about quitting doing Coco, my mom said,“Oh you better be good to Coco, ‘cause Coco’s been very good to you.” what can FlOrida expect FrOm yOur current shOw?

This new show is A Gentle Reminder: Coco’s Guide to a Somewhat Happy Life. I’ll tell you what inspired it. As I said before, I do all these videos now, and I have this new audience of young people and, of course, their parents. So I’m getting all these emails from people asking me for advice. And I find it fascinating that teenagers – gay and straight – their parents and gays, lesbians, trans people, are writing asking me about serious life advice, not joking around. So I thought maybe I could write a show about somewhat leading a happy life, because my thought is that we can never be fully happy. My feeling is, if you’re really 100 percent happy, I probably don’t wanna be around you. You’re annoying me.

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May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

theater

One Man and a Baby

American Stage brings Everett Quinton’s drag-filled, one-man adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities to the stage

(above)

LIP SYNC BATTLE:

Jerry (Mark Chambers) must entertain a baby as he prepares for opening night.

Photo courtesy of JoeyClay.com

“I

Jeremy Williams

t was the best of times; it was

the worst of times.”The line that opens one of Charles Dickens’ most famous pieces of literature is known by almost everyone, even those who cannot name the story that follows. It is this line that led Everett Quinton to adapt Charles Dickens’ novel A Tale of Two Cities into a play in 1989 about an aspiring drag queen during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.

“This version of A Tale of Two Cities was written by Quinton in the late ‘80s as a one man show to try and save his theater,” director Janis

Stevens says. “He knew he couldn’t afford a full cast; I doubt he even paid himself.”

Quinton’s A Tale of Two Cities

watermark Your LGBT life.

takes place in a small, rundown flat in lower Manhattan. The lead, and only, character in the play is Jerry, who is getting ready for his first night on stage at Sally’s as a female impersonator.

“As he is getting ready, there is banging at the door, and when he answers the door, there is a baby that’s been left on the doorstep,” Stevens says. “He brings the baby inside and it’s crying and the only thing that will shut that baby up is ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…’ and the baby starts to quiet down.”

Jerry then goes through the story of A Tale of Two Cities to keep the baby quiet so he can get ready for his big night.

Quinton’s A Tale of Two Cities was performed 20 years ago at the American Stage in St. Petersburg and starred Mark Chambers. After two decades, he is returning to the role of Jerry.

“Jerry is quite an animated character,” Chambers says. “He is excited to have his first time on the stage as a drag performer, and he goes on last so he knows it has to be big.”

While much of the show is funny and zany, Stevens says that there is an undercurrent of deeper meaning behind the play.

“So the reign of terror going on in France that Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities addresses is an analogy to the reign of terror that AIDS had over the gay community at the time,” Stevens says.

Quinton wrote his version of A Tale of Two Cities with attention paid to groups of gay people who were oppressed even within the LGBT community.

“This is a template that can be placed on a lot of stories, but Quinton felt a connection to A Tale of Two Cities and felt that it was the best template to be able to tell his story,” Stevens says. “It was a book [Quinton] knew well, and it had come to represent the oppression of gay society in American culture.

That oppression probably lead to the situations that allowed the community to fall victim to disease.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

This seemed a lot like the oppression of the poor by the rich aristocrats in France leading up to the storming of the Bastille [in Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities].

Chambers was originally drawn to the role of Jerry because of the layering of different stories within one play. Now playing Jerry 20 years later, he thinks Quinton’s A Tale of Two Cities more relevant and important than ever.

“There is so much going on today with current politics and the separations of classes and wealth,” Chambers says. “There aren’t only similarities between now and the ‘80s, but from now to Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities.”

A part of gay culture that is a big part of Quinton’s revisionism is the subculture of drag.

“Because this story is in the ‘80s, this isn’t like a RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Chambers says. “Drag has become so sophisticated and they are encouraging it earlier and earlier and everybody does it, but in the ‘80s, you would get sideways glances if your eyebrows were gone because you have been doing drag. It was still not socially acceptable then.”

Chambers remembers that until the AIDS crisis was really addressed through fundraising, drag queens were seen as second class citizens by the LGBT community.

“No fats, no fems, no S&Ms, no drag queens ever,” Chambers says.

“Until they started raising money and became a political tool, that’s when they started to get a little more respect. Now if you go to any kind of benefit, there will be a drag show or a drag performer hosting.”

While the play deals with many heavy subjects including oppression, abandonment and disease, Stevens says the show is also filled with moments of happiness, humor and flavor.

“I think the song at the end of the show is the right flavor,” Stevens says.

“It’s very grand and Mark [Chambers] is very grand with this number. It’s just perfect and I think people are going to enjoy it.”

more information

What: A Tale of Two Cities When: Wednesday, June 1 to Sunday, June 26 Where: Raymond James Theatre, St. Petersburg Tickets: tickets.americanstage.org

39

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40

watermark Your LGBT life.

sponsored by sponsored by Watermark and Media Harriettand Lake Harriett Lake

Watermark Publishing Group Watermark Media

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

arts+entertainment OrlandO Orlando Fringe, May 18-30, Loch Haven Park, Orlando. 407-648-0077; OrlandoFringe.org Watermark’s May Third Thursday, May 19, Mad Cow Theatre, Orlando. 407-297-8788; MadCowTheatre.com

community calendar

event planner

brawls! x!

O t O b ! e z bOO

Becky’s Fun Time Hour, May 21-28, Savoy, Orlando. 407-898-6766; SavoyOrlando.com Kennedy Davenport, May 21, Pulse, Orlando. 407-649-3888; PulseOrlandoClub.com

Gay Days Orlando Expo, June 1-5, DoubleTree by Hilton at Sea World, Orlando. 407-896-8431; GayDays.com PI@PH, June 2, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com Taste of Gay Days, June 2, DoubleTree by Hilton at Sea World, Orlando.

407-896-8431; GayDays.com night of Perpetual Comedy, June 2, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com

tampa bay If/Then, May 17-22, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa.

813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

wEdnEsday, JunE 1, 8:00 p.M. iMprov coMEdy club, orlando, pointE orlando Back by popular demand and for one night only, Jeff Jones Comedy and Improv Orlando present the Pink Collar Comedy Show. Kick off your GD party week with drinking, drag and stand-up featuring comedian Jeff Jones along with friends Carol Lee and Trixie Deluxxe at the world famous Improv Comedy Club at Pointe Orlando. Get free tickets by calling the box office at 407-480-LAFF(5233) and making reservations with the password DRAG.

Dining Out For Life thursday, May 19, all day various locations, taMpa bay

‘80s night at The Abbey, May 27, The Abbey, Orlando. 407-704-6261; AbbeyOrlando.com

Classern Quartet Spring Concert, May 29, Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum, Winter Park. 407-628-8200; CasaFeliz.us

Pink Collar Comedy show

tampa bay

MegaCon 2016, May 26-29, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando. 386-364-1826; MegaConvention.com

MEGA - The ultimate After Party, May 28, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com

OrlandO

The Realish Housewives of South Tampa: A Parody kick off their heels (and flip some tables) at the Straz Center for Performing Arts in Tampa May 31- June 5.

G2H2 St. Pete’s May Happy Hour/networking Event, May 19, Kimpton Hotel Zamora, St. Petersburg. 727-456-8900; TheHotelZamora.com

Balance Tampa Bay’s May Service, May 21, Crescent Lake, St. Petersburg. 727-512-1304; BalanceTampaBay.org

Flamingo Resort Reception / Fundraiser for Dan Fiorini, May 20, Flamingo Resort, St. Petersburg. 727-321-5000; FlamingoFla.com

Metro Transgender Town Hall - Debunking Transgender Bathroom Bills, May 24, Metro Wellness & Community Center, St. Petersburg. 727-321-3854; MetroTampaBay.org

EQFL Action PAC Reception for Carlos Guillermo Smith, May 20, St. Petersburg. 813-870-3735; CarlosGuillermoSmith.com The Social, May 20, Metro Wellness & Community Center Ybor, Tampa. 813-232-3808; MetroTampaBay.org Banked Track Friday night Derby Fight, May 20, The Slayground, St. Petersburg. 727-522-0172; DeadlyRivalRollerDerby.com

Seminole Heights Fundraiser and Meet & Greet for Brian Willis, May 24, The Heights Exchange, Tampa. 813-374-9349; VoteBrianWillis.com The Make A C-DIFF-erence Comedy Tour, May 26, Hamburger Mary’s Bar & Grille, Tampa. 813-241-6279; HamburgerMarys.com/Tampa

Pride Brunch 2016, May 29, Flamingo Resort, St. Petersburg.

727-321-5000; FlamingoFla.com The Realish Housewives of South Tampa: A Parody, May 31-June 5, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa.

813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org Jersey Boys, June 1-5, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

sarasOta Josephine starring Deborah Cox, April 27- May 29, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Sarasota.

941-351-8000; AsoloRep.org Pool Moon Party, May 21, South Gate Community Association, Sarasota. 941-955-4597; SouthGator.org

Come out and support AIDS Service Association of Pinellas at the annual Dining Out For Life event, an annual dining fundraiser for AIDS service organizations. Every year more than 3,000 restaurants across the nation and Canada donate portions of their proceeds to a local HIV/AIDS service. All money raised in the Tampa Bay area will go back to the Tampa Bay area. More than 30 restaurants in St. Petersburg, Gulfport and Dunedin will be participating including Punky’s, Pom Pom’s Teahouse and Sandwicheria, The Flamingo Resort and more. All participating restaurants can be found at DiningOutForLife.com/TampaBay.

una Voce: Love, Hope, Passion Friday, May 20, 8:00 p.M. thE palladiuM, st. pEtErsburg Artistic Director Joseph Caulkins and the men of Una Voce invite you to The Palladium at St. Petersburg College as they perform Kris Anthony’s work “When We No Longer Touch” with a chamber orchestra ensemble and professional dancers choreographed by the acclaimed Elizabeth Bergmann. This work takes you on the dramatic journey of letting go and losing a loved one through incredible lyrics and a powerful music score. A second performance will be held the following night, May 21, at the USF School of Music Concert Hall at 8:00 P.M. This concert series is in partnership with Metro Wellness Centers.

For tickets and information visit Una-Voce.org.

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

event planner and community calendar is brougHt to you by curtis protective services • 1-800-551-8368 • curtissecurity.com watermark Your LGBT life.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

41

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watermark Your LGBT life.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

overheard

tampa bay Out+abOut

tampa bay rays and a decade OF pride

T

hE taMpa bay rays and EQuality Florida arE organiZing anothEr EvEnt to recognize LGBT fans during a Rays home game at Tropicana Field. The official Pride Night will be June 17 as the Rays take on the San Francisco Giants. Pride Night 2016 marks the 10th year the Rays have invited LGBT groups to participate in a night dedicated to the community at the field. The Rays have been active with the Tampa Bay LGBT community for many years. Not only do they hold Pride Night each year, the team also participates in LGBT events in the area including St. Pete Pride and Tampa Pride. In 2011, the Rays released a video for the Trevor Project and the It Gets Better campaign to help end bullying.

Tickets for the Pride Night are $99 for field level near the Ray’s bullpen and $30 in the higher section.

hamburger mary’s in primetime

T

hE popular cbs show UNDERCOVER BOSS kicked off its seventh season with a few firsts.

It was the first time the show featured co-owners of a company, it was the first time it featured identical twins going undercover and it was the first time world famous Hamburger Mary’s was featured on primetime network television. Twins Ashley and Brandon Wright own the 13-restaurant chain, five of which are here in Florida, and decided to go undercover at several locations. For those who have not seen the show, the owners of a company go undercover to see how the business is running and how the employees act.

The Wright twins went in disguised as servers, bartenders and drag performers and they visited Hamburger Mary’s across the country. While they didn’t visit the two amazing locations we have here in the Tampa Bay area, the Clearwater location does have a connection to the show. Kenny Lawson was a server the show followed at the Kansas City location. In the show, Lawson told the undercover owner how he came to Kansas City after being kicked out of his house in Texas after coming out and found a new family at Hamburger Mary’s.

Lawson is now at the Clearwater location waiting tables and signing autographs (we assume) after the very adorable Lawson was featured. Thanks to the owners, Lawson is now cruising the coast in a new car and basking in the Florida sun. Oh, and boys, he’s apparently single.

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sword play: Billy Masuck at dress rehersal for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at the Largo Culture Center in Largo May 16. PHOTO COuRTESy OF BILLy MASuCK

2

Man’s bEst FriEnd: Real estate guru (and new parent) nick Janovsky takes his boy Oliver for a ride in St. Petersburg May 10. PHOTO

4

COuRTESy OF nICK JAnOvSKy

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colorFul Milk: David Luis nava was a piece of art at the Harvey Milk Festival in Sarasota May 14. PHOTO COuRTESy OF THE HARvEy MILK FESTIvAL

4

class act: (L-R) Ellen Cotton, Kate Tiedemann and nadine Smith shake hands with the public after Smith announces the couple’s charitable donation to EQFL to fight school bullying.

PHOTO By JEREMy WILLIAMS

5

ga-ga-gala: (L-R) Whitney RousseauBrundage, Ashley Brundage and Steve Kornell take in the fashion at the St. Pete Gala at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg May 7. PHOTO By LAuRIE ROSS

6

wE did it!: The cast of Jospehine after opening night at the ASOLO Repertory in Sarasota Theatre May 6. PHOTO

6

COuRTESy OF MATTHEW MCGEE

7

supErstar signaturE: Adult entertainer Austin Wolf signs himself while attending BearSoup at the Flamingo Resort in St. Petersburg May 14. PHOTO COuRTESy

OF FLAMInGO RESORT

8

so FrEsh and so clEan: The Tampa Goonies softball team get wet at the big gay car wash at Punky’s in St. Petersburg May 7. PHOTO

8

COuRTESy OF CHRIS RuDISILL

7 watermark Your LGBT life.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

43

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Join us for Sunday Brunch featuring Bottomless Brunch Mimosas & Bloody Mary Bar 10:30am - 2pm

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watermark Your LGBT life.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

overheard

OrlandO Out+abOut

tall, darK and hairy

A

lthough this sounds likE thE hEadlinE For a scruFF or grindr proFilE, we’re just describing the new resident arriving at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure.

Skull Island: Reign of Kong is a brand new attraction nestled in between Island’s Toon Lagoon (which really hasn’t seen much progress since the park’s opening) and Jurassic Park.

The multi-sensory immersive attraction has guests boarding a 1930s truck to explore depths of the jungles of the mythical Skull Island which happens to be loaded with prehistoric creatures, including the big guy himself. Think of a spin-off of the King Kong movie remake’s first act.

Universal recently announced that, unlike the Hollywood version, riders will encounter a fully functioning animatronic version of Kong, where they said you can feel his breath on your skin. The new attraction is set to open this summer with a rumored soft opening in the coming weeks.

Hopefully this will happen by Gay Days weekend.

The anticipation has us going bananas!

H

1

3

5

6

Keeping it Kesha

Ey craZy kids, it was rumored, then retracted, then rumored, well – Tik Tok – it has finally been confirmed: Kesha is coming to Central Florida for Gay Days via One Magical Weekend on Saturday, June 4.

It’s a big get for OMW, and we’re super excited. Tickets are going fast for the party that returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Visit www.OneMagicalWeekend.com for details and tickets for “The Main Event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios” and other One Magical Weekend events.

T

2

milK and cereal

hE 4th annual harvEy Milk divErsity brEakFast has a serious mission: to recognize those fighting for LGBT equality and encourage other advocates to do the same. But there were some laughs. Orlando attorney and LGBT advocate Mary Meeks, who was honored with the Champion of Equality Award, realized that she was wearing the same suit to the breakfast that she wore in her official photo that was projected onto the screen during her speech.

Meeks had the crowd roaring when she said it was “embarrassing... even for a lesbian,” and jokingly chastised her wife, Vicki Nantz, for allowing it to happen. The event’s other humorous moment was a little more cringe-worthy, when Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan remarked that Florida’s Legislature “isn’t the most enlightened.”

Representative Darren Soto put his hands up in the air and retorted, “Hey, how many [LGBT-friendly] bills do I have to sponsor?” Patty’s remarks were during her speech honoring Mayor Buddy Dyer, recipient of the LGBT Lifetime Achievement Award and about whom Patty confessed, “Mayor Buddy Dyer is my longest relationship.”

4

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hErE coME thE grooMs: Equality Florida’s Michael Farmer (left) and his husband, UCF’s Boyd Lindsley, walk down the aisle accompanied by their grandmothers at their Mt. Dora wedding May 7. PHOTO By JEnnA MICHELE Mr. roboto: (L to R) Jeff Jones, Doug Ba’aser and Joshua Siniscalco get into characters as animatronic characters come to life for The Animatronicans, now showing at Orlando Fringe.

PHOTO COuRTESy JOnES

3

crossdrEssEr For christ: Wil Wheaton joins Orlando drag performer and RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Ginger Minj both in make-up and on the mic at RuPaul’s DragCon in Los Angeles. PHOTO vIA GInGER MInJ’S SnAPCHAT

4

lip sErvicE: Celebrity Lip Sync Battle emcee Darcel Stevens congratulates Watermark editor Billy Manes on his second-runner up finish in the fundraiser competition, benefiting Hope and Help, May 16 at Parliament House.

kEEping up: Melody Maia Monet, a bartender at Southern Nights Orlando, snaps a selfie with Caitlyn Jenner at the 27th annual GLAAD Media Awards, May 14 in New York City. PHOTO COuRTESy MOnET

sMall but Mighty: Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer presents the LGBT Trailblazer Award to Ryland Whittington, a transgender 8-year-old, at the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast May 16. PHOTO By BEAuX PATRICK

7

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Mix it up: (L to R) MBA president Lu Mueller-Kaul, executive director nayte Carrick and Two Spirits president Dr. David Baker-Hargrove mingle at the MBA’s Monthly Mixer, May 4 at the Mennello Museum of American Art. PHOTO

By CASTORIGInAL PHOTOGRAPHy

8

lEt’s MinglE: (L to R) Lisa Brown, Mac Wren, Gayle Owens, Chris Stephenson and Deb Ofsowitz brave a rainy Wednesday to hang out at MBA’s May Mixer.

PHOTO By TAMMI JOnES

PHOTO By JEREMy WILLIAMS

8 watermark Your LGBT life.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

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watermark Your LGBT life.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

announcements

wedding bells

Steven, 47, and Gerald Wagner-young, 29 from Orlando

years togetHer:

3 years

wedding date:

April 4, 2015

wedding venue:

The Veranda in Thornton Park

wedding planner:

over The Rainbow Weddings & Events owned

by Gerald

wedding caterer:

Foodie Catering

“M

y FavoritE thing about

Steven is that he never ceases to amaze

wedding me in that he’s always willing to try colors: new things every day,” Gerald says. “We do all kinds Purple and cream

First song:

“Halo” by Beyoncé

interesting Fact:

They just finished classes to adopt a child and are about to start the home study part of the adoption process.

of things, and he has opened my eyes to a different way of life and a different way of thinking about life.”

Steven Wagner-Young, who is a waiter at Disney, and Gerald Wagner-Young, a wedding planner, met at Disney but didn’t know at the time they both worked at the theme park.

“He worked in one location and I worked in another, so we were at opposite ends,” Gerald says.

When they finally met up, they had lunch for an hour and talked, laughed and enjoyed the food. They agreed to meet up the next day at the Orlando Come Out With Pride parade, and they haven’t stopped seeing each other since.

“I wanted to be with him and hang out,” Steven says.

The two started spending a lot

of time with each other and were practically inseparable.

“I guess after the first date, we hung out at another outing and then hung out again at another outing – it just grew into this whole thing,” Gerald says. “I wasn’t really looking for anything at the time, but it just happened the way it was supposed to. You want to say it was fate, I suppose.”

When Gerald’s lease was up, he was considering moving to Clermont, but Steven said that was too far and asked him to move in with him.

“I knew I wanted to be with him and spend the rest of my life with him,” Steven says.

For the couple, they didn’t really have a formal engagement.

They were talking at Savoy in Orlando one night, having martinis, and they decided they should get married, and that night the wedding planning started.

Gerald’s favorite part of the wedding was putting it all together.

He liked being able to make sure the wedding and ceremony had some components that represented him and some components that represented Steven.

“Seeing the two ideas join as one, that’s the beginning start of a marriage, right?” Gerald says. “You have people from different walks of life coming together as one.”

Their wedding planner actually bailed out on the couple five weeks prior to the wedding, so the couple had to take over the reins of the planning process. Gerald’s desire to do wedding planning was planted then, which grew into his business Over The Rainbow Weddings & Events that he now owns.

“After the wedding, we came up with this cute idea of having 52 weekends of honeymoons,” Gerald says. “We picked out a day, or the entire weekend, where we would go do something special, just him and I, whether it was go downtown or go to a museum or to boat rides in Winter Park.”

Steven says that their first year of marriage has been fun and busy with a lot of stuff going on. One of the biggest things on both of their priority lists is renovating their home to allow it to be a place to raise a family. They are in the process of preparing for a family.

They will be having the home study done soon, and they hope within a year to have a little one.

“My favorite thing is his smile,” Steven says about Gerald. “Also, whatever idea I come up with, he never looks at me like I’m crazy, he’s just like ‘let’s try it, let’s do it!’”

congratulations Super congratulations to Equality Florida’s Michael Thomas Farmer and UCF’s Boyd Lindsley for tying the knot on May 7! You deserve it and everything else!

Bon Voyage to dreamboat nayte Carrick as he leaves the MBA following seven years of service.

Now, go make some more change, sir!

Hooray for nicole Elinoff of the GLBT Community Center of Central Florida! HRC has granted her a nine-month engagement with the Fellowship Program for Young Nonprofit Leaders Working to End HIV in America’s Hardest-Hit Communities. Make us proud!

local birtHdays Dance hero Eric yow of Yow Dance (May 20); Two Spirit Health Services president and CEO Dr. David Baker-Hargrove, Orlando freelance writer and real estate agent Wes Miller, St. Petersburg personal trainer Jamarcus Mosley, Human Rights Campaign Orlando co-chair and attorney John Ruffier, proud mommy Tanya Blasingame (May 21); Watermark editor-inchief Billy Manes, University of Tampa professor and Equality Florida Meetup volunteer Jack Crepeau, Hunks Orlando Promoter Jeffrey Torres, Iowa same-sex wedding planner and former Watermark subject Beau Fodor, amazing Orlando artist Cake Marques, Sarasota University Club’s Peter McClain Jr., Harvey Milk Festival president Shannon Fortner (May 22); Miss Sammy’s sister-in-law, elegant party hostess and glamorous costumer to Orlando’s theatrical stars Marcy Singhaus, St. Petersburg karaoke star Javier Dones, Supermanloving Seminole personal trainer Chip Wright, graduate Sabrina napolitano (May 25); Tampa Drag Queen Bingo maven Amy DeMilo, Sarasota country line dancer David Russell (May 27); neuromarketing guru Alex Wall (May 28); St. Pete theater supporter Jon Hughes, GayStAugustine.com’s Emery McClune and Dunedin stylist Corey Judge (May 29); Fairvilla peddler DC Bulla; world traveler, pilot and Orlando-based photographer Jim Barrett (May 30); Orlando restaurant magnate nicholas Olivieri; St. Petersburg Target specialist and social butterfly Joe White, (May 31); Ranger’s Pet Outpost founder Rick Merrifield, Lakeland tri-athlete Andy Orrell, straight ally and owner of JJ’s Grille J.J. Paredes, City of Gulfport employee and furniture specialist Jon K. Ziegler (June 1); physical therapist Rob Ryan, St. Pete Twirling Project hottie Harry Correa (June 2)

do you Have an announcement? Having a birtHday or anniversary? did you get a new Job or promotion?

See your news in Watermark! Send your announcement to Editor@WatermarkOnline.com or go to WatermarkOnline.com/Submit-a-Transition.

it’s tHat easy!

—Samantha Rosenthal

Do you have an interesting wedding or engagement story you’d like to share with Watermark readers? If so, email the details to Editor@WatermarkOnline.com for consideration as a future feature on this page.

watermark Your LGBT life.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

47

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watermark Your LGBT life.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

49

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53

uprisings

sOur grapes

We’re talking about kids. and anybody who’s been in a school, in a high school, who’s been a parent, I think should realize that kids who are sometimes in the minority, kids who have a different sexual orientation or are transgender, are subject to a lot of bullying.

—prEsidEnt barack obaMa to buZZFEEd nEws

state OF shOcK

W

hilE Most oF thE nation gasps at THE THREAT of boys looking under girls’ restroom stalls – oh, wait; not the nation, just its government – one longserving Republican in Florida took a stand last week in favor of transgender rights. Why? Because her son is trans.

U.S. Rep Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Miami), stood next to her son Rodrigo at a press conference and shared her – and his – story.

She also released a public service announcement which proclaims, in part, “Our son is transgender. We loved him as Amanda, and now as Rodrigo,” the bilingual ad says. It’s a huge move for a community often neck-deep in traditional values.

“I’m not going to sugar-coat it; it was rough for us,” the congresswoman said, according to the Miami Herald. “We understand people who are gay and lesbian, but when somebody says, ‘I identify as a man more than a the gender which I was born,’ it’s still a shock.”

54

T

ObstructiOn time again

hErE was Much ado about prEsidEnt barack obaMa’s noMination of Merrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, but it was really much ado about nothing. Garland is a moderate, low-key choice. Still, he has yet to receive a hearing or, obviously, confirmation. The Daily Beast points out that this isn’t some odd aberration or stalemate; it is a huge problem with the Republican-led Senate, a ruling body that doesn’t seem to want to rule under Obama. It just wants to dig in its heels and laugh at the pieces.

And it’s not just in the Supreme Court. Lifetime-appointed judges are a rare breed at this point. Even under George W. Bush, the Senate confirmed 45 judges in that president’s lameduck year. Under his father, 82 were confirmed. In Obama’s closing salvo, only 17 have been approved.

The difference is obviously an imbalance of power in Congress (also, some racial underpinnings and political maneuvers). The trouble is that justice suffers without justices.

Move along, people.

trumping trump

l

ast wEEk’s Most hilarious political guFFaw has been reserved for television star and presidential nightmare Donald Trump. The story goes something like this: Political consultant and all-around great guy Roger Stone (/sarcasm) used to work for Trump in the early ‘90s. Even so, Trump, ever the controlling megalomaniac, decided to take matters into his own hands for a 1991 interview in People magazine. Trump, disguised as “John Miller,” became his own flack for the purposes of triangulating his message.

It may seem a bit light – Stone himself told BuzzFeed, “What difference does it make?” – but it does cast a shadow on Trump’s character, and we all know that 99 percent of being president is character, right?

“Trump wanted to get his spin and his side of the story, so he handled the press call himself, probably because he didn’t want to pay a public relations expert,” Stone told BuzzFeed.

Trump, naturally, has publicly denied the claims.

watermark Your LGBT life.

T

Billy Manes

hE EstablishMEnt is out to gEt you.

Also, you’re at a party and not part of “the party.” That’s the message that emanated from the rancor of Nevada’s Democratic State Convention on May 14, and that’s the current tone of our national debate. In advance of July’s Democratic convention in Philadelphia, the steamrolling of attitude over substance from the Sanders camp is becoming a little tragic and a lot overwrought. At issue, of course, is the push-and-pull of delegate allegiances and an electoral process that has political neophytes calling foul. In Nevada, where Hillary Clinton had a clear lead in Nevada’s pledged delegates – 20 to Bernie Sanders’ 15, because of the caucuses held earlier this spring – the tin-foil hats of conspiracy came out.

A number of Sanders devotees threw out their sense of reason and decided to call the whole process – indeed the whole Democratic National Committee – “rigged” in favor of Clinton. Sixtyfour folks were denied their delegate status. Why? Because they hadn’t registered as Democrats by the deadline of May 1. This is not a fault of the party, the system, the UFOs out to get you or the “oligarchy” that would have you drink all the water in Stepford. It’s the fault of the delegates, and possibly the campaign, for not minding the rules.

“One thing I hope that you can all agree with me on is that this contest between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders has made us all proud to be Democrats,” party Chairwoman Roberta Lange told the hissing crowd, according to the Las Vegas Sun. “The primary has energized our party, because both of our candidates have consistently offered strong, well-thought-out visions to move America forward.”

Then, when Clinton proxy California Sen. Barbara Boxer took the stage, urging the crowd to unite behind, well, math, she was booed.

“You can boo all you want,” she said. “Boo louder, because you’re booing Bernie Sanders.”

And that’s the crux of this, right? Even in the wake of Sanders’ thickly veiled encouragement for party unity (a party he has built a career on criticizing, though that infrastructure sure seems to help), his supporters are acting like children.

The Nevada State Democratic Party isn’t taking it lightly. In a bold move, it sent a letter to the DNC decrying the behavior of the Bernie Bros and their ilk. “We write to alert you to what we perceive as the Sanders Campaign’s penchant for extra-parliamentary behavior – indeed, actual violence – in place of democratic conduct in a convention setting, and furthermore what we can only describe as their encouragement of, and complicity in, a very dangerous atmosphere that ended in chaos and physical threats to fellow Democrats.”

You say you want a revolution? Well, you know, we all want to make asses of ourselves.

Enough already.

May 19 - June 1, 2016 // Issue 2 3.10

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