Watermark Issue 19.21: Come Out With Pride Wrap-up

DAYTONA BEACH • ORLANDO • TAMPA • ST. PETERSBURG • SARASOTA • ISSUE 19.21 • OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 • WATERMARKONLINE.COM

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10/1/12 watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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“It’s about finding everyone a place to call home, regardless of how big or how small!”

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OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

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I have always been and always will be a 53 proud, gay man.

DEPARTMENTS 6 // MAIL 8 // ORLANDO NEWS 12 // TAMPA BAY NEWS 16 // STATE 18 // NATION & WORLD 27 // ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 39 // EVENT PLANNER 41 // TAMPA BAY OVERHEARD 43 // ORLANDO OVERHEARD 44 // TAMPA BAY MARKETPLACE 45 // TRANSITIONS 46 // ADVICE 47 // ORLANDO MARKETPLACE 52 // CLASSIFIEDS 53 // SPORTS 54//GALLERY W

PAGE

—ORLANDO CRUZ, PROFESSIONAL BOXER

ON THE COVER

PAGE A member of the Sisters

Perpetual Indulgence 08 ofparticipates in the annual

Come Out With Pride Parade in downtown Orlando on Oct. 6. The City of Orlando once again embraced the Pride celebration and participants ranged from the Sisters to churches and large corporations like Wells Fargo and Walt Disney.

Photo by Jake Stevens

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PAGE

Preview

27 NOT SO EVIL: Lana Parrilla has returned to her role of Regina, the Evil Queen in ABC’s hit Once Upon A Time. But the actress really isn’t all that evil, especially in the eyes of LGBTs, whom she openly supports and advocates for when she’s not on the set.

WATERMARK ISSUE 19.21 // OCT . 11 - OCT . 24 , 2012

ORLANDO NEWS

TAMPA BAY NEWS

PAGE Downtown Orlando was

PAGE Mayor Bob Buckhorn

SARASOTA

GALLERY W

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

08

a sea or rainbow colors, drag queens, shirtless male dancers and families during the annual Come Out With Pride celebration Oct. 6; the Zebra Foundation will receive $500,000 over the next eight years.

12

helped launch the 23rd annual Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival at the Tampa Theatre on Oct. 5; police apprehend a suspect in the murder of two men in the Kenwood neighborhood of St. Pete; more.

PAGE Pride season is still

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going strong in Sarasota.

Sarasota Pride returns to J.B. Hamil Park on Oct. 20 with more vendors, a new family zone and a slew of politicians vying for the LGBT vote.

PAGE More than 80 floats made

mile trek around 54 the Lake Eola during Come

Out With Pride 2012 and tens of thousands of revelers lined the streets and attended the vendor fair. We take a look back at some of our favorite moments.

TIGLFF CONTINUES IN TAMPA THROUGH OCT. 13. VISIT WATERMARKONLINE.COM FOR ONGOING COVERAGE. OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR WAS THAT DEBATE STRATEGY?

“I think he held back to let Romney race ahead and blow his wad.”

I

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AM BEGINNING TO THINK THAT OBAMA’S PERFORMANCE IN THE [OCT. 3] DEBATE was the beginning of a strategy. It was so bad, it had to be an act.

I think he held back to let Romney race ahead and blow his wad. Now, Romney has nothing left to show.

Obama allowed Romney to take off out of the starting gate and show he won’t release any details of a tax cut plan and this will prove to have been Romney’s best showing.

Obama will do better in the next debate and pull ahead slightly, but will really take Romney’s head off in the third debate. Remember, these are the folks who beat Hillary Clinton and won the election through internet marketing four years ago. Don’t think they aren’t savvy, folks.

SKIP STEWART ORLANDO

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HANK YOU, WATERMARK, FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF AIDS WALK TAMPA BAY. With your help we went well past our goal.

I genuinely appreciate your involvement and look forward to working on

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OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

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future projects with you to support ASAP. Save the date! Next year’s AIDS Walk will be Sept. 14, 2013.

JAY ALLER AIDS WALK COORDINATOR ST. PETERSBURG

COMMUNITY EFFORT

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N BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CLIENTS WE SERVE, THANK YOU. WORDS WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO EXPRESS THE GRATITUDE we feel for your assistance with Headdress Ball. Thank you for advertising the event in Watermark. It takes many hands to accomplish the nearly impossible.

But, we did it.

Every volunteer and vendor is an important piece of the puzzle. We need every piece to make Headdress Ball the success that it is. Thank you for being a very important piece. Without your help and support we would not have been able to raise the $339,000.

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This money will go a long way in helping our neighbors in need.

We will be able to provide assistance with medicine, insurance, case management, peer mentoring and provide food to our hungry families from our self-funded food pantry.

With your help, last year we served 4,500 clients, gave food to 250 families and administered more than 5,000 free HIV tests.

You allowed us to do this.

You are part of our success.

The mission of the Hope and Help Center is to save lives by treating and preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS in Central Florida. Thank you for helping us achieve our mission and we look forward to achieving our vision, which is a world without AIDS. Thank you. Your assistance and partnership with us means everything.

MAGGIE KING DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT HOPE & HELP CENTER

editor’s

Steve Blanchard EDITOR

SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com

T

Desk

HE DAY THIS ISSUE OF WATERMARK

comes out—pun intended—is a big deal in the LGBT community.

Oct. 11 is National Coming Out Day, a day celebrated since 1988 as a means to encourage LGBTs to come out of the closet and share their true selves with friends and family. Of course, for those of us already living openly, encouraging others to do the same is easy, and even frustrating when they are reluctant to declare their same-gender attraction. But for those still in the closet, sharing details about their sexual orientation can be much scarier than anything a theme park can dream up for Halloween.

Thanks to many religious groups’ vili�ication of the LGBT community, declaring who we

WATERMARK STAFF

are remains a struggle for people fearful of their family’s reactions.

I know that’s how I felt before I came out.

I knew I was gay way before I �inally shared the information with friends at the age of 21.

In elementary school, I had crushes on other boys and I felt extremely guilty for those feelings. By the time puberty hit, the locker room was unbearable and I would avoid it if at all possible because I knew my wandering eyes would download images that were only compounded by guilt.

Even church camps in the summer were torture because I knew my thoughts didn’t �it the

Publisher: Tom Dyer • Ext. 305 • Tom@WatermarkOnline.com Chief Financial Officer: Rick Claggett • Ext. 108 • Rick@WatermarkOnline.com Administrative Assistant: Erik Caban • Ext. 100 • Erik@WatermarkOnline.com Editor-in-Chief: Steve Blanchard • 813-470-0899 • SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com Online Media Director: Jamie Hyman • Ext. 106 • Jamie@WatermarkOnline.com Proofreading: Ed Blaisdell Art Director: Jake Stevens • Ext. 109 • Jake@WatermarkOnline.com Production Assistant: Andrés Duputel • Ext. 107 • AdProduction@WatermarkOnline.com Sales Manager: Mark Cady • Ext. 102 [Orlando] • Mark@WatermarkOnline.com

de�inition of “normal” preached at me every Sunday—and occasionally at random family gatherings. It felt like shirtless and athletic boys were always around me and resistance was impossible. When I had my �irst sexual experience with another male in early junior high, I was exhilarated and incredibly con�licted.

The young man returned my affections (which only included some awkward touching) and we carried on our platonic-until-wewere-alone-together relationship for several years. We never talked about those encounters and we both continued to date the opposite sex, but I knew what I found attractive, and it sure wasn’t in that other locker room.

Despite this, forming the thought “I like boys” in my mind was an impossibility. If I admitted that to myself, then Jesus and his army of angels was surely going to swoop down and slap me with thunderbolts. Isn’t that what the Bible said?

Like so many others, it wasn’t until my college days in Missouri that I �inally had enough of the inner con�lict and actively started meeting other gay men and lesbians.

Somehow, through the miracle of now what seems archaic technology, I chatted with and eventually met a friend through mIRC (Microsoft

Internet Relay Chat), a system that’s embarrassing by today’s standards. While that friend and I never connected well romantically or socially, his lesbian roommate became a �ixture in my life and continues to be one today. In fact, she walked me down the aisle at my Holy Union and now lives in Tampa Bay. Until then, I didn’t have a reference for what a “real” gay person was like. I was surprised that “they” weren’t the awful creatures I had imagined based on incorrect information.

As we celebrate National Coming Out Day, we should all try to showcase what it means to be LGBT. Which, in short, means living our lives just as everyone else in this country does.

You never know who needs a positive example of what it means to live openly.

Whether or not you meet that individual directly, showing him or her that we’re no different than our straight neighbors could be the best gift we could ever give.

I knew what I found attractive, and it sure wasn’t in that other locker room.

—

While we re�lect on the Come Out With Pride celebration in Orlando and the closing weekend of the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, it’s important we remember another historical day in LGBT history.

It was 14 years ago on Oct. 7 that Matthew Shepard was found tied to a Wyoming fence post and clinging to life. On Oct. 12, 1998, Shepard died from the beating he received simply because he was gay.

The world is a lot different than the one Shepard died in 14 years ago, but we still have a long way to go. |  |

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OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

CONTRIBUTORS MARY MEEKS

is an Orlandobased attorney who is also an LGBT activist.

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

GREG STEMM

lives in Gulfport, Fla., and has worked as a freelance writer for several local publications. He is a founding member of St. Pete Pride and active politically in Tampa Bay. Page 23

STEPHEN MILLER

is a long-time Watermark contributor and author of Screened Out, our movie reviews column. He is also an Orlando playwright and business consultant. Pages 29

Greg Burton, Erik Caban, Scottie Campbell, Amy Dees, Kirk Hartlage, Rev. Phyllis Hunt, Joseph Kissel, Ken Kundis, Mary Meeks, Stephen Miller, David Moran, Anthony Paull, Greg Stemm, Brett Stout, Louanne Walters, Stephen Warne

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

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

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

WATERMARK is published every second Thursday.

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7

orlando REASON TO CELEBRATE: Members of the Zebra

Coalition march in the Come Out With Pride parade Oct. 6. PHOTO BY

NEWS

JAKE STEVENS

Zebra Foundation receives $500,000 grant Staff report

O

RLANDO | The Zebra Foundation for Youth will receive $500,000 over the next eight years from the Bryce L. West Foundation. The Zebra Foundation helps to create and sustain programs that directly support LGBTQ youth, primarily through the Zebra Coalition, which is a network of Central Florida organizations, schools and service providers that provide services to LGBT youth.

“We are pleased to make this donation through the Zebra Foundation for Youth to support the incredible work that the Zebra Coalition is doing in the Central Florida community,” said Bryce West, executive director of the Bryce L. West Foundation and board member of the Zebra Foundation for Youth, in a media release. “It is the only organization in Central Florida that provides a full continuum of services to this at-risk group of youth.”

West’s Foundation supports various Central Florida arts, education and service organizations.

“By making this gift, we can ensure that future donations, gifts, grants and other �inancial assistance to the Zebra Foundation for Youth will go directly to client services,” West said.

According to a media release from the Zebra Coalition, the money will be used to renovate and operate the Zebra House, on Mills Ave. in Orlando, which provides of�ice space to Zebra Coalition staff and will also offer case management and counseling; medical services; a food, hygiene and clothing bank; laundry and shower facilities; education and career support; a resource library; and a computer center to at-risk LGBTQ youth.

The Zebra Foundation for Youth also has some new leadership.

Scott Bowman, vice president of client relations for Sara Brady Public Relations, Inc., has been named board chairman, succeeding Jefferson R. Voss, senior director, Tavistock Group, who is co-founder of the Zebra Foundation for Youth and remains president and an active member of the board. |  |

8

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

DOING IT FOR YOU: Orange County Comptroller Martha Haynie (with sash) joined OADO to register more than 50 couples as domestic partners at COWP. PHOTO COURTESY VICKI NANTZ

Excited About Pride Orlando celebrates—and is a haven for—its LGBT community.

Tom Dyer

TOM@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

O

RLANDO | If 2011 was a test for Come Out With Pride, then 2012 felt like a much-deserved victory-lap.

Last year, a freak downpour forced a last-minute cancelation of the event. It was quickly rescheduled for November, and COWP held onto sponsors and spirit as record crowds returned to Lake Eola.

This year, when dark clouds and an ominous forecast threatened throughout the preceding week, organizers dismissed the idea that weather would compromise this year’s COWP. And apparently, so did close to 100,000 attendees. In sheer numbers, rainbow gear now rivals the red-white-and-blue of Lake Eola’s huge 4th of July �ireworks celebration.

Many drove to Orlando from throughout the region and state. But thousands poured out of sparkling high rise apartments and condos to give COWP the feeling of a colorful downtown block party.

“This is one of my favorite days of

OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

the year,” said Lindsay Baldwin, who camped out on Central Ave. to watch the parade with husband, Jake, and their 1-year-old daughter, Sadie. “It’s colorful and hilarious and uplifting and freeing… you don’t have to be gay to celebrate that!”

The message: In 2012, Orlando’s acceptance and appreciation for its large LGBT community is unconditional.

A SAFE SPACE

That was appreciated at the Orlando Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Committee booth at the COWP Festival. Late last year, Orlando became the �irst city in the region to create a Domestic Partner Registry. Orange County followed suit, and County Comptroller Martha Haynie personally supervised as dozens registered as domestic partners in either the city or county at Lake Eola on Saturday.

“I registered couples of all ages, and races—many with kids,” said OADA’s Mary Meeks, who reports that more than 700 couples have now registered. “One couple had been together for 41 years, and this is the �irst legal

watermarkonline.com

recognition they’ve ever received.”

Over at the Walt Disney Amphitheater, Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan quoted Dr. Seuss as she of�iciated at a ceremony registering nine more couples.

“A wise man once said, ‘You know you are in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams,’” Sheehan said.

“We are here today to celebrate the love of these couples and to celebrate that the City of Orlando recognizes our relationships.”

Earlier, the 80-member Orlando Gay Chorus celebrated the recent launch of its 23rd season with a rousing performance of “Pride.”

“Best ever,” said founding member Fred Berliner.

And at a large enclosed area with an African motif, many attendees were moved when they learned that Orlando is now home to one of the nation’s few active safe spaces for LGBT youth.

“I was speaking with a mother whose son is gay,” said Zebra Coalition organizer Jeff Voss. “As I was telling her about the things we do for LGBTQ youth, she broke down in tears when I explained that some are thrown out of their homes, and that we provide them with

Continued on page 10 |  |

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OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

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orlando NEWS 10

UCF marks LGBT History Month Jamie Hyman JAMIE@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

O

RLANDO | For the �irst time ever, the University of Central Florida is celebrating LGBT History Month with a series of events and programs to raise awareness about LGBT and ally history, culture and current events.

The planning committee named the celebration “LGBTQ PLUS History Month” to be more inclusive of all gender and sexual minority experiences. This year’s theme is “Educate. Celebrate. Advocate.”

Events run through the end of October and include documentary screenings, a diversity showcase, a presentation on the legal issues facing LGBT individuals and a candlelight vigil. All of the events are free and available to the public.

“I think UCF is making some huge strides to ensure we have institutional support for our community here on campus,” said David Moran with UCF’s LGBTQ Services, Student Development and Enrollment of�ice.

“This is the �irst time we’ve ever had a LGBTQ history month initiative. This is pretty exciting for us.”

A key event is Oct. 22, when transgender and gender issues advocate Kate Borenstein will speak in the Pegasus Ballroom at 8:30 p.m.

In addition to LGBTQ PLUS History Month, UCF is marking Diversity Week with a number of LGBTfocused programs and events. It’s the 20th annual Diversity Week and runs from Oct. 15 – 19.

“I think it’s been really unique to see the visibility of LGBT issues in the community growing, so it’s great to see that we actually have LGBT oriented programs almost every day of Diversity Week,” Moran said. [LGBT students and faculty] are very much a part of what comprises a diverse campus.”

A number of local LGBT activists will be recognized at Beacon Network’s Champions of Change event, held Oct. 17 in conjunction with Diversity Week. The event will be held in the Cape Florida Conference Rooms in the UCF Student Union. Mary Meeks, a local attorney and LGBT activist, will speak to the forum, which runs from 9 a.m.-11 a.m.

The week happens to fall within LGBT History Month, which is celebrated every October. The annual celebration, which began in 1994, was started by Missouri High School Teacher Rodney Wilson., as a way to recognize contributions made to society by LGBTs. Gay and Lesbian History Month was endorsed by GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Education Association, and other national organizations. In 2006, Equality Forum assumed responsibility for providing content, promotion and resources for LGBT History Month. Every year, the Equality Forum highlights 31 LGBTs, one per day in the month of October.

A full schedule of events for both LGBTQ PLUS History Month and Diversity Week are available at UCF.edu. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

|  | COWP from pg.8 temporary shelter.”

COWP MOMENTS

There were many COWP moments the week prior to the Saturday festival and parade. The �irst-ever Out in the Open Film Festival at The Abbey featured a Q&A with �ilmmaker Macky Alston, whose award-winning Love Free or Die documentary about Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson opens the Frontline series on PBS later this month. And Chely Wright spoke with an adoring audience of close to 100 after a screening of Wish Me Away, about her experience as the �irst country singer to come out.

Wright listened as a fan shared that her partner of 20 years put off coming out and then died suddenly, leaving her to discover that her partner’s family knew all along and yearned to share in their relationship.

“Touching stories like that are why I love talking with people about this,” Wright said. “There’s out, and then there’s really out. Don’t put off being really out, especially to your family. You’ll discover a freedom you never knew.”

Audebert said the �ilm fest will continue next year.

“Now people know what we’re capable of doing,” he said. “I expect Out in the Open to be a big part of pride in the future.”

Other COWP events included a sold out comedy night at Hamburger Mary’s featuring Amy & Freddy, Opening Ceremonies at The Abbey attended by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, and Pride at Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios.

“Thanks to our sponsors, we’re able to throw a big, wonderful pride event without charging admission,” Audebert said, noting presenting sponsor Macy’s and Symantec’s full sponsorship of the $10,000 �ireworks display. “We’ve �igured out a formula that works, and that allows us to ad events every year, eliminate the weak ones and build on the promising ones.”

GAY FANS

But Saturday remains the big draw. Of�icial numbers are still being tabulated, but by all accounts this was the biggest COWP ever, possibly topping 100,000 in total attendance. On Saturday there were 148 festival vendors stretching more than halfway around Lake Eola, up 20 from last year. And there were 86 parade units, up 14 from 2011 and

OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

MAKING A POINT: A handful of protesters react to the unique shirt showcased by a Come Out With Pride attendee on Oct. 6.

PHOTO BY JAKE STEVENS

including huge contingencies from Disney, Universal, Macy’s and Rollins College, as well as dozens of local LGBT bars and businesses.

At times, 10-deep crowds spilled into the street reaching for beads and challenging COWP crowd control.

“We knew it would be packed on Central so we had it roped off before the parade to hold people back. That lasted about a

a packed Parliament House, where a “Gay Days-sized” crowd watched a crisp 1 a.m. set by COWP grand marshal Debbie Gibson.

“My �irst live performance was at a gay nightclub when I was just 16, so I will always love my gay fans,” said Gibson before launching into hits like “Shake Your Love,” “Foolish Beat,” and “Out of the Blue.”

FIREWORKS

Audebert admits there were some snafu’s at COWP—“all minor and to be expected”—but he’s already thinking about improvements for next year. They include more paid set-up and breakdown help, less reliance on —COWP EXECUTIVE DIR. MIKAEL AUDEBERT volunteers, and improved electricity for food vendors minute,” laughed COWP executive and the Gay Orlando History exhibit. director Mikael Audebert. “But our But for now, he’s happy to dwell marshals patrolled the street and on yet another COWP moment. everyone was great. The last thing A brief rain let up in time for the we wanted to do was keep people �ireworks display to go off on time. from having fun.”

Standing in the VIP dining and After the parade, tens of viewing area on the south side of thousands streamed to the Walt Lake Eola, Audubert looked over Disney Amphitheater for a raucous at Florida Theatrical Association dance party featuring DJ Slam and president and COWP supporter Ron hunky recording artist Josey. After Legler and discovered tears—in a brief rain, the still-huge crowd both their eyes. positioned themselves for an “For me it was just this sense impressive �ireworks display that that—from City Hall to the police to ricocheted off high rises and �illed the parks department—we live in a downtown Orlando. city that doesn’t just appreciate us, Afterward, many adjourned to they’re excited for us.” |  |

“We live in a city that doesn’t just appreciate us, they’re excited for us.”

For more pictures from COWP, see p. 54 and visit watermarkonline.com.

watermarkonline.com

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This exclusive promotion for Wells Fargo customers provides unique benefits: • Get your credit score for free (a $12 value) • Evaluate specific factors that impact your credit score • Access your full credit report at no charge • Review your credit file and see if there are any errors • An optional, personalized one-on-one meeting with a banker to discuss your credit situation • Learn how your PFD check can help you get closer to your goals For more information, visit wellsfargo.com/freecreditscore *Wells Fargo may, at its own discretion, limit the number of unique codes and/or cancel the free credit score and complimentary credit report promotion at any time. Your credit report will look like what a lender wouldsee if the lender obtained your credit report at the same time. Your version is formatted to be more easily understood. Your credit score could vary by lender depending on the type of scoring used. The credit score you receive in this promotion probably will not be the same as the score obtained by a lender and is for educational purposes only. © 2012 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. NMLSR ID 399801 OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

11

tampa bay NEWS 12

VICTIMS IDENTIFIED: Bruce Johnson, left, and Arthur Regula were found murdered inside a burned Kenwood Neighborhood home on Sept. 30.

LGBT community mourns murder of Bruce Johnson Steve Blanchard EDITOR@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

S

T. PETERSBURG | More than a week after his body was discovered inside the charred remains of a burned Kenwood neighborhood home, friends celebrated the life of Bruce Johnson, an out gay man who was remembered for loving his community and socializing with friends.

They gathered Oct. 9 at Seminole Park in Kenwood to honor Johnson, 51, and Arthur Regula, 36.

The two men were discovered inside a 4th Avenue North home owned by Mitch Harrison on Sunday, Sept. 30. Fire�ighters discovered the bodies of the two men after putting out the �ire. Police were immediately investigating their deaths, initially ruled as the result of “homicidal violence.”

On Oct. 4, police arrested Michael Norris, 36, who authorities believe walked away from a work release program at Largo Residental Re-Entry Center and burglarized a nearby motel. He then robbed and shot the two men who were renovating the home. Police say he lit the �ire to cover up his tracks.

When he was captured, police say Norris did not admit to murdering the two men or to setting the blaze. Norris left evidence at the home, however, linking him to the crime. At press time, police had not publicly shared what that evidence was.

Johnson was a friend of the homeowner and was living at the house on Fourth Avenue N while helping with interior renovations at the home.

Regula was hired to help with the renovations, as he had experience with tile work, police said.

Detectives located Regula’s 2004 Ford pickup truck, which authorities noticed was missing from the house, in the area of Columbus Drive and MacDill Avenue.

Investigators don’t know why that home was speci�ically targeted. Police don’t believe Norris was acquainted with either of the victims in the homicide.

Harrison, the homeowner, has not spoken to any members of the media. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

DIGNIFIED LINEUP: (L-R) Dignitaries Kevin Beckner, Steve Kornell, Bob Buckhorn and Jane Castor applaud at the Tampa

Theater before each one took the stage to open the 23rd Annual Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. PHOTO BY NICK CARDELLO

Movie magic TIGLFF launches its 23rd year Steve Blanchard

EDITOR@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

T

AMPA | By the time the doors to the Tampa Theater opened to the public on Oct. 5, Franklin street was packed with LGBTs and allies enjoying some tasty morsels from a line of food trucks. It was a new way to open the annual Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, and it appeared to be very popular.

“This is great,” said Larry Biddle, executive director of TIGLFF. “It looks like everyone is enjoying themselves.”

The trucks offered tastes from around the globe—from Asian fusion and veggie selections to traditional barbecue ribs and chicken sandwiches.

“Honestly, I typically arrive just before the movie starts on opening night,” admitted Linda Amaro, who lives in New Port Richey. “But when I heard about the food trucks I �igured it was a great chance to try something new.”

OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

she didn’t talk speci�ically about her sexuality, her family reference brought cheers, laughs Amaro was among several and applause. large lines that formed outside the Also helping to open the trucks, positioned directly in front 23rd TIGLFF was Tampa Mayor of the Tampa Theater. By the time Bob Buckhorn, who spoke the sun set, the theater was set about celebrating diversity in ablaze with TIGLFF’s information the city and its impact on the and the SunTrust Bank building local economy. a few blocks away showcased a “Downtown is starting to come rainbow light show, which was alive and Tampa is taking its place acknowledged by Tampa Police as a major U.S. city,” Buckhorn Chief Jane Castor, who spoke said. “It’s because we celebrate our citizens, our diversity and we were able to showcase that on a national stage this year.”

Buckhorn was referring to the Republican National Convention, which was held at the Tampa Bay Times —TAMPA POLICE CHIEF JANE CASTOR Forum in August. According before the night’s �irst �ilm, Elliot to the mayor, the convention Loves, rolled. was the most watched event “Isn’t [the SunTrust Building] of the year, second only to the London Olympics. just beautiful?” Castor asked “And put your political the audience, which applauded af�iliations aside for a moment,” in agreement. “I am so proud to Buckhorn said. “The RNC gave be a part of this city and to be a us an opportunity to share who part of this festival. I am honored we are on a global scale. I didn’t to be here among friends, and agree with anything that was especially, family.” said inside of that building. But Castor is the �irst openly lesbian police chief in the City Continued on page 14 |  | of Tampa’s history. And while

“I am honored to be here among friends, and especially, family.”

watermarkonline.com

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

13

tampa bay

Grand jury indicts Schweickert on two counts of murder Steve Blanchard EDITOR@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

T

DRAGAPELLA BENEFIT: (L-R) Trixie, Rachel, Trampolina,

NEWS

and Winnie will perform at the Tampa Theatre on Oct. 25.

Kinsey Sicks to take Tampa Theatre stage—finally Staff Report

T

AMPA | After they were rescheduled due to street closures related to the Republican National Convention in August, the “girls” of The Kinsey Sicks will �inally return to the Tampa Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 25.

Electile Dysfunction: The Kinsey Sicks for President features the popular dragapella group The Kinsey Sicks in a realm of musical political satire that will surely delight and offend throngs of fans. The group has toured the United States for years in a number of shows, which rework classic songs to �it the messages of the performers.

Now, The Kinsey Sicks will put a political spin on their acapella talents all while raising money for the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.

“We are thrilled that The Kinsey Sicks were able to reschedule and come to Tampa,” said TIGLFF executive director Larry Biddle. “They are one of those don’t-miss acts that you just have to see when they come to town.”

Not only do Winnie, Rachel, Trampolina and Trixie tackle issues like immigration, unemployment, scandal, sex, pandering and corruption, they do it all in amazing four-part harmony.

The Kinsey Sicks most recently appeared in Tampa last December with Oy Vey in a Manger at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, lampooning traditional holiday carols.

The new show features songs like “Sell the Poor,” “Eliminate the Schools,” and the campaign anthem, “Vote for Me (I’m Not From Kenya).”

This bene�it performance for the Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival is at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25 at the Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St. Tickets are available at TampaTheatre. org/Kinsey-Sicks, at the box of�ice or by calling 813-274-8981. |  |

14

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

AMPA | It took nine years, but Scott Schweickert will �inally have to face murder charges. Authorities say the now47-year-old helped Steven Lorenzo kill at least two Tampa Bay area men in 2003.

Police discovered Michael Wachholtz wrapped in a sheet in the back of his SUV in early 2004. The body of Jason Galehouse was never recovered. Schweickert testi�ied to helping Lorenzo dismember the young man at Lorenzo’s Tampa Heights home before placing its various parts in dumpsters throughout the area.

In 2003, police say, Schweickert �lew in from Illinois and with Lorenzo, 53, of Tampa, brought Galehouse and Wachholtz from Club 2606 on Armenia Avenue to Lorenzo’s house on Powhatan Avenue, where they drugged and killed the men on successive days that December.

On Sept. 20, a grand jury indicted Schweickert on two counts of �irstdegree murder in the deaths of Galehouse and Wachholtz.

In the indictment, which was unsealed Sept. 27, the jury found that Schweickert acted with “premeditated design.”

Prosecutors charged Lorenzo |  | TIGLFF from pg.12 I appreciated them choosing our city for their convention.”

Also speaking on opening night were Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, who is up for re-election in November and received an endorsement from Buckhorn from the stage, and St. Petersburg City Councilman Steve Kornell.

Both men are the �irst openly gay elected of�icials in their respective areas.

“Who would have thought 23 years ago—heck, 10 years ago— that the cities of St. Petersburg and Tampa would compete to see who was the most gay-friendly

OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

MURDER CHARGE: Scott

RIP: Schweickert told authorities that he

with drugging nine men with the date-rape drug GHB. Schweickert was only charged in the drugging of Galehouse. However, in 2005, more details about Lorenzo and Schweickert emerged during Schweickert’s testimony.

During his testimony to a grand jury and during conversations with detectives, Schweickert described the drugging of the two men and also said he watched Lorenzo choke them. He added that he held Galehouse’s arms and legs while Lorenzo used a saw to dismember him.

Despite the testimony, neither man has been charged with murder—until now.

In January 2006, victims testi�ied about meeting Lorenzo at bars and either losing track of their drinks or

having Lorenzo serve them drinks before they lost consciousness.

The men woke up naked and in pain, some remembering bondage or forced sex, and others having almost no memory of what happened.

Investigators found on Lorenzo’s computer hundreds of thousands of images, including photographs of Wachholtz’s dead body taken at Lorenzo’s house hours after he was last seen. A jury found him guilty and Lorenzo is serving a 200 year sentence in federal prison.

Schweickert is currently serving 40 years in prison in connection with the Wachholtz and Galehouse murders.

It’s unclear when Schweickert will return to court to face the new charges. |  |

�irst,” Kornell said. “But here we were, both moving forward to get domestic partnership registries going. Tampa got there �irst, which is �ine. Both cities have a lot to be proud of.”

Beckner applauded Kornell and added that while Hillsborough County is a much more conservative area and consists of a much more conservative board than both nearby major cities, he was happy with the progress the county had made in 2012.

“This year, for the �irst time, Hillsborough County has a Diversity Board that includes the LGBT community and the issues facing us,” he said. “Hillsborough County is changing. Be patient and

you will see changes continuing over the next few years.”

This year, TIGLFF shortened its annual festival to nine days.

In previous years, it extended 11 days. The festival is still using facilities on both sides of Tampa Bay—the Tampa Theater and Muvico Baywalk in St. Petersburg—and runs through Oct. 13. Nearly 100 feature �ilms, documentaries and shorts will be shown throughout the nine day event.

A closing night party, titled WRAPture, is scheduled for CZAR night club in Ybor City on Saturday, Oct. 13. For tickets and information, visit TIGLFF.com. |  |

Schweickert is currently serving a 40year sentence in federal prison.

watermarkonline.com

helped Steven Lorenzo dismember Jason Galehouse before the two disposed of him in dumpsters throughout Tampa Bay.

STEVEB@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

S

ARASOTA | Planning a successful Pride event can create a lot of stress, but Cindy Barnes seems to have the groundwork for Sarasota Pride down to an exact science—almost.

“Everything is on track for a successful event,” said Barnes.

“But it scares me that we may outgrow the venue this year.”

Sarasota Pride returns to J.D. Hamil Park from noon-6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20. Last year’s event brought in more than 3,500 revelers, and Barnes said she expects at least 1,000 more at the 2012 celebration. That could make for a very crowded park.

“We have more vendors and sponsors than last year and all the local Democrats have booths at

the festival this year,” Barnes said.

Plus, a march across the Ringling Bridge organized by the Obama for America group plans to end its walk at J.D. Hamil Park, which will bring in a surge of people about the time opening ceremonies begin at 2 p.m. That march, which is not af�iliated with Pride and will involve a large number of straight people, begins at noon, which originally did not thrill Barnes.

“But I learned that our vendors plan to be at the park throughout the event and when the marchers said they would arrive at Sarasota Pride, I couldn’t really complain,” she said. “We’re going to see a heavy surge in attendance in the afternoon that will be very visible.”

Vendors at the 2012 Sarasota Pride Festival will notice that more of the park is used this year.

“It scares me that we may outgrow the venue this year.”

OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

sarasota

Steve Blanchard

festival in the downtown district.

“The biggest thing about Pride is the exposure,” Barnes said.

“This lets people see we’re just like every other family out there.

We work jobs, pay taxes, raise kids. It would be wonderful if we didn’t have to have a festival and everyone was equal. But until that happens, we have to beat our own drum. And it’s not that we have to do it. We want to do it.”

While Sarasota Pride is a one-day event, there are a few other events surrounding it. In addition to the UV Rays Concert at Trinity MCC the evening of Oct. 20, there is a Prelude to Pride performance of A Wizard of Oz on Monday, Oct. 15, at Ramada Waterfront Sarasota. The retelling of the classic tale stars Matthew McGee as the Wicked Witch and Joe Panek as the Tin Man. Note— there are adult themes in the show and it isn’t recommended for children. Proceeds from ticket sales bene�it Sarasota Pride.

Barnes also added that Throb Night Club will host a pre-pride event on Friday, Oct. 19.

For more information about Sarasota Pride, visit SarasotaPride.org. The festival is free and open to the public. |  |

NEWS

Record crowds expected at Sarasota Pride Oct. 20

and tables for family dining. The idea for a family theme came from Rev. Charles Tigard of Trinity Metropolitan Community Church, Barnes explained.

“He came to me about six months ago and asked if I had ever thought about a family zone,” Barnes said. “I said, ‘Boy, can I set you up.’ I think the dunking booth Sponsors can choose to be either has run its course.” under one of two large tents or Also throughout the day, area select to bring their own tents to musicians and performers will utilize more of the park. take the stage. Karmic Tattoo “Vendors will also notice that will kick things off and Diversity: the park has a different feel this The Voices of Sarasota, the UV Rays and the Walking Giants are all scheduled to appear. The UV Rays will make an —CINDY BARNES, SARASOTA PRIDE ORGANIZER appearance later in the evening year,” Barnes said. “The city has at a special Pride concert at gone in and put in new grass Trinity MCC. after replacing pipes in the park.

Opening ceremonies, They’ve also trimmed the trees so they don’t hang as low and they’ve beginning at 2 p.m., will last nearly an hour, Barnes predicts, taken care of the roots that were a because Mayor Suzanne Atwell tripping hazard last year.” and other local dignitaries and Also missing from this year’s politicians are expected to speak. festival is the dunking booth. That It shows how supportive the local area, instead, will be dedicated as community and the city has been a family zone, featuring a bounce to the event, which rebooted itself house, sno-cones, face painters three years ago as a free, outdoor

15

state NEWS 16

Florida Supreme Court hears lesbian custody case Wire report

T

Jason Parsley SOUTH FLORIDA GAY NEWS

ALLAHASSEE | A bitter child custody dispute between two lesbians went before the Florida Supreme Court on Oct. 2, but the justices suggested the case may be sent back to a lower court and lawyers on both sides said it is unlikely to affect other couples, gay or straight.

Before the Brevard County couple split up, the genetic mother had donated an egg that was fertilized and implanted in the other woman, who gave birth in 2004.

The couple separated two years later, and a trial court granted sole custody to the birth mother. An appellate court disagreed and said the women should share custody.

The lawsuit was �iled before another appellate court struck down a Florida law banning same-sex couples from adopting. The state declined to appeal that 2010 decision.

If the Brevard couple had been able to adopt their daughter, both women would have retained parental rights when they broke up and the present case would have been unnecessary, said Robert Segal, the genetic mother’s lawyer. ``It’s a very narrow, limited legal issue,’’ said Michael Jones, the birth mother’s attorney.

Segal said he hopes the case will prod the Legislature into making it easier for ``people who want to have families to have families and protect the rights of children to spend time with their parents.’’

Both women are identi�ied in court records only by their initials to protect the privacy of the child, now 8 years old. She is living with her birth mother, identi�ied as DMT, and hasn’t seen her genetic mother, TMH, in �ive years, Segal said. The birth mother left Florida with the child without telling her former lover, who then tracked them down in Australia with the help of a private detective.

The justices raised the possibility of returning the case to the trial court to resolve a potential factual dispute over a doctor’s informed consent form that was signed by the genetic mother. The form says she was giving up all rights to the donated egg and any resulting offspring.

That should decide the case, Jones argued.

Segal disagreed, saying the form was not a legal contract because it was signed by only one of the partners and intended for anonymous genetic donors, not people who planned to participate in raising the offspring. ``The form is patently inconsistent with their conduct,’’ Segal said.

Justice R. Fred Lewis said the case may need to return to the trial judge to hear evidence on the form issue. ``We can’t determine the facts,’’ Lewis said.

Justice Barbara Pariente later said that social and constitutional policies sometimes intersect as she questioned Jones’ argument that social policy should be left to the Legislature.

The trial judge also had cited a state law that says genetic donors do not have parental rights. In reversing, the Daytona Beach-based 5th District Court of Appeal ruled DMT wasn’t a donor as contemplated by the law. It also said the statute was unconstitutional as applied to this case, but not necessarily in other cases. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

Boca officials compare LGBT rights to canine rights

B

oca Raton | Protecting LGBT employees from discrimination would be like protecting pet lovers from discrimination.

At least, that’s what the assistant city manager of Boca Raton thinks.

Mike Woika was trying to make a point—saying if the city were to adopt an ordinance protecting LGBT employees, then who knows what other classes of people would crawl out of the woodwork demanding their rights, too.

“What’s to keep other groups from wanting to be protected?”

Woika said. “How about me? I’m a pet lover. I think I should be included in your anti-discrimination law. Someone who has dogs should not be discriminated against either.”

The issue of gay rights in Boca Raton was thrust into the spotlight when the Palm Beach County Commission was informed that the City of Boca Raton opted out of the county’s anti-discrimination clause, which includes both “sexual orientation” and “gender identity and expression.”

Boca Raton doesn’t include either one in its anti-discrimination policy, instead deferring to the state and federal requirements.

The county, meanwhile, has a policy stating that it doesn’t do business with entities that won’t adhere to its anti-discrimination policy. The ‘business’ happens to be a regional plan for the county to pay for the costs of hazardous material emergencies in some of its cities, one of which being Boca.

But the county can’t save the city the $235,000 that the project is worth without adherence to its antidiscrimination policy. Now, Boca has 60 days to change its ways, or it loses out on almost a quarter of a million dollars.

Woika stressed that regardless of who is protected, the City does not discriminate against anyone whether or not they are a part of a protected class.

But the issue gets even stickier.

Besides just not including “sexual orientation” and/or

OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

“gender identity and expression,” in its policies, in January 2011 Boca decided to take the unusual step of of�icially opting out of the county’s anti-discrimination requirements.

Woika simply called that vote a reaf�irmation.

The only other city to have taken that step is West Palm Beach. The difference though is that WPB includes “sexual orientation,” and “gender identity and expression” as a part of its protected classes.

Rand Hoch, president of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, said he’s approached Boca Raton for more than 20 years, urging it to add sexual orientation to the anti-discrimination requirements as well as offer city employees domestic partnership bene�its.

Tony Plakas, the executive director of the county’s GLCC, Compass, believes the opt out was done covertly and wonders if the City Council understood at the time the real impact of it.

Mike Woika, assistant city manager of Boca Raton

came into con�lict.

The current issue became muddied after Palm Beach County Commissioner Steve Abrams, whose district includes Boca, stressed to the commission that Boca only had a problem with adhering to the “gender identity and expression” requirement. He said there was no problem with the “sexual orientation” requirement.

Abrams then attempted to persuade the commission to give Boca an exemption, which it declined.

Boca will now have 60 days to accept the county’s proposal or decline it and lose the funding.

Woika said when Boca Raton opted out of county’s ordinance, it made it clear it would only follow state and federal requirements regarding discrimination.

Rand Hoch summed it up differently.

“What they are saying is that they wish to retain the right to discriminate against gay men, lesbian and transgender people. ‘We want to be able to preserve the right to discriminate,’” he explained. “No one else in Palm Beach County tried to opt out, except for West Palm Beach, which had its own law before the county had a law.”

SFGN reached out Boca Raton Mayor Susan Whelchel for a comment, but as of press time received no response. |  |

“What’s to keep other groups from wanting to be protected?”

—MIKE WOIKA, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER OF BOCA RATON Or was this something pushed for by the city management?

“This is a great example of things happening behind the public’s back and they don’t know about it,” he said. “Maybe they did think it was just housekeeping. But again it doesn’t matter. The motivation was to do it quietly.”

Woika, however, said the opt out came about because this isn’t the �irst time Boca has run into a problem with the county’s anti-discrimination requirements.

“There was a formal af�irmation of the opting out. Because the city is under home rule it has established its own anti-discrimination [requirements]. There was always a con�lict with the county,” Woika said. “I think when they legally adopted their own, that really was an opt out. But the city said ‘let’s make it very clear.’”

Last time around, though, the project fell through, Woika said, before the city and county

watermarkonline.com

Editor’s Note: This story is from the South Florida Gay News and is used with permission.

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17

nation+world NEWS

IN OTHER NEWS MOORE: MARRIAGE EQUALITY WILL BE NATION’S DOWNFALL Alabama Supreme Court candidate Roy Moore says marriage equality will lead to the ``ultimate destruction’’ of America because it attacks the nation’s foundation.

The Republican nominee for chief justice made his comments during a Tea Party rally in Fort Payne, Ala. on Oct. 7. Moore is trying to reclaim the chief justice position he lost for refusing to follow a court order to remove a Ten Commandments monument from Alabama’s main judicial building.

SERBIAN GAY ACTIVISTS HOLD INDOOR PRIDE EVENT Amid a heavy police presence, nearly two dozen flagwaving Serbian gay rights activists on Oct. 6 staged a “small, silent, non-violent and motionless protest’’ followed by an indoor gathering in central Belgrade after a pride march was banned by police over far-right security threats.

Police have banned the parade for the last two years, saying they fear violence.

STUDY: MORE LGBT CHARACTERS ON TV The number of LGBT characters on scripted broadcast network TV is at its highest-ever level in the season ahead, according to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. The 17th annual ``Where We Are on TV’’ report, released Oct. 5, found that 4.4 percent of actors appearing regularly on prime-time network drama and comedy series during the 2012-13 season will portray LGBT characters. That is up from 2.9 percent in 2011, which saw a dip in what had been a growing annual trend.

UN: UKRAINE MUST RETHINK ANTI-GAY LAW A spokesman for the U.N. human rights commissioner has urged Ukraine to rethink a much-criticized bill that envisions prison terms of up to five years for spreading homosexual “propaganda’’—positive public depiction of gays. Despite the criticism, legislators passed the bill in the first of two required readings.

SCALIA: ABORTION, GAY RIGHTS ARE EASY CASES Justice Antonin Scalia says his ``textualist’’ method of interpreting the Constitution makes some of the most hotly disputed issues that come before the Supreme Court among the easiest to resolve. “The death penalty? Give me a break. It’s easy. Abortion? Absolutely easy. Nobody ever thought the Constitution prevented restrictions on abortion. Homosexual sodomy? Come on. For 200 years, it was criminal in every state,’’ Scalia said Oct. 4 at a book signing in Washington, D.C.

HONG KONG TYCOON OFFERS $65M DOWRY FOR GAY DAUGHTER Flamboyant Hong Kong tycoon Cecil Chao has offered $65 million to any man who can woo his daughter away from her lesbian partner. Chao made world headlines when he offered the 500 million Hong Kong dollar marriage bounty after learning that his daughter, Gigi Chao, had eloped with her partner to France. Cecil Chao said Sept. 28 that he has received hundreds of offers from suitors since he made the offer and his daughter has probably had thousands.

18

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

Record number of LGBTs seeking seats in Congress Wire Report

N

EW YORK, N.Y. | Of the four openly gay members of Congress, the two longestserving stalwarts are vacating their seats. Instead of fretting, their activist admirers are excited about a record number of gays vying to win seats in the next Congress—and to make history in the process.

When the oaths of of�ice are taken in January, Congress could have its �irst openly gay Asian-American, Mark Takano of California; its �irst openly bisexual member, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona; and its �irst openly gay senator, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin.

In all, eight openly gay candidates are running as major-party nominees for the House of Representatives, the most ever, including the two incumbents who are favored in their races—Democrats Jared Polis of Colorado and David Cicilline of Rhode Island. There’s one gay Republican in the group, Richard Tisei, who is waging a competitive campaign for a House seat from Massachusetts.

A common denominator in all the races: Neither the gay candidates nor their rivals are stressing sexual orientation, and the oft-heard refrain is, “It’s not an issue.’’ If anti-gay innuendo does surface from lower echelons of a campaign, there are swift disavowals—even conservative candidates these days think twice

about being depicted as biased against gays and lesbians.

“People know that bigotry is bad politics,’’ said Democrat Sean Patrick Maloney, who is running in New York’s 18th District in the Hudson Valley.

“The voters in my district care more about why my opponent wants to end Medicare and defund Planned Parenthood than about who I love,’’ said Maloney, who is raising three children with his partner of 20 years.

The veterans departing from the House are Barney Frank, D-Mass., perhaps the most powerful gay in elective of�ice who is retiring after 16 terms, and Baldwin, who is vacating her House seat after seven terms to run for the Senate. |  |

also a church pastor in San Diego. It also names as a plaintiff Aaron Bitzer, a man who says he has bene�ited from the “reparative’’ therapy.

The lawsuit claims the law violates First Amendment and equal protection rights.

The new law prohibits mental health practitioners from performing sexual orientation change efforts— known as reparative or conversion therapy—for anyone under 18.

The therapies ``have no basis in science or medicine and they will now be relegated to the dustbin of quackery,’’ Brown said in a statement.

Mainstream associations representing psychiatrists and

psychologists have dismissed reparative therapy in recent decades. A number of mental health associations in California supported the legislation.

But some organizations and ministries continue to use counseling and prayer to try to help con�licted Christians rid themselves of unwanted homosexual inclinations.

Conservative religious groups and some Republicans have argued that banning conversion therapy would hinder parents’ right to provide psychological care for children experiencing gender confusion.

The law is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1. |  |

Pelosi welcomed the federal recognition of gay and lesbian couples. At the same time, she called for more to be done to protect undocumented immigrants in long-term relationships with American citizens.

Napolitano’s directive “will provide a measure of clarity and con�idence to families dealing with separation in immigration cases,” Pelosi said in a written statement.

“Our nation is served when loving families are kept together.”

But she added: “We need to ... relegate DOMA to the dustbin of history.” DOMA—the 1996 Defense

of Marriage Act—bars the federal government from extending federal bene�its, such as Social Security, to married gay and lesbian couples.

DOMA restricts the Obama administration from outright ordering that gay and lesbian couples be treated the same as heterosexual couples.

Last year, Attorney General Eric Holder and President Barack Obama called DOMA unconstitutional and said they would no longer defend the measure in court. In response, the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives stepped in to fund an effort to try to uphold the law. |  |

Lawsuit filed over California gay teen therapy law Wire Report SAN FRANCISCO | A Christian legal group has �iled a lawsuit to overturn a �irst-of-its-kind California law that prohibits licensed mental health professionals from practicing therapies aimed at making gay and lesbian teenagers straight.

The Paci�ic Justice Institute challenged the law signed Sept. 29

by Gov. Jerry Brown. The lawsuit was �iled Oct. 1 in U.S. District Court in Sacramento.

The institute �iled the suit on behalf of a psychiatrist and a marriage and family therapist who is

U.S. immigration to treat same-sex partners as relatives Wire Report WASHINGTON, D.C. | The Obama administration has directed immigration of�icials to recognize same-sex partners as family members in deportation cases, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said on Sept. 28.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told Pelosi in a letter that she had ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to notify its �ield of�ices “that the interpretation of the phrase ‘family relationships’ includes long-term, same-sex partners.”

OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

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What will yours be like?

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livingloud

The (Orange County) Emperor Has No Clothes

Mary Meeks MEEKS@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

S

OMETIMES FAIRY TALES ARE

the best metaphors for real life.

That is certainly true with regard to stunning new revelations about Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs.

Jacobs came into of�ice touting herself as a populist “outsider” whose core principles are transparency, accountability, and integrity. After recent revelations, I think we can all raise our hands and collectively call “Bullshit.”

Before I proceed, full disclosure: I voted for Jacobs.

I believed her promises that she was a different brand of politician, would work constructively with the LGBT community, and would bring Orange County government back to the people.

Unfortunately, Jacobs’ actions and words in of�ice have revealed personal antipathy toward the LGBT community and disdain for the principles of democratic governance (unless they serve her ideological interests).

Alas, the emperor has no clothes.

I have engaged with Jacobs on many fronts, notably the passage of the Orange County Domestic Partnership Registry (DPR). Throughout those battles, Jacobs revealed a disturbing, and escalating, pattern of behavior.

She worked behind closed doors, guided by shadowy �igures, dictated her terms, expected complete fealty,

and lashed out at anyone who didn’t tow the line. She frequently accused people (and the media) of lying when they commented on things that she had indisputably said and done.

Attorney Kevin Shaughnessy and political consultant John Dowless (a right-wing extremist with a history of anti-gay activism) loomed in the shadows, “advising” Jacobs as she tried desperately and repeatedly to derail the DPR. It was ugly, but in the end Jacobs caved to the public pressure.

Once the DPR became effective in July, I actually planned to take a break. Then something happened that dragged me back into the �ight.

Local advocates obtained more than 50,000 signatures of Orange County citizens for a county charter amendment that would require employers to provide paid sick leave to their employees. By law, the Orange County Board of Commissioners (BCC) was required to place this initiative on the ballot. However, big business lobbyists used their in�luence to persuade Mayor Jacobs and county commissioners to highjack the process and derail the initiative.

This included a proposal offered by Commissioner Jennifer Thompson— and ghostwritten by Tom Wilkes, chief lobbyist for the interests opposing the sick leave initiative—for the BCC to submit its own charter amendment to counter the sick leave initiative.

Thompson’s proposal was a dangerous and unprecedented gambit which could have retroactively repealed a number of existing county ordinances (such as employment discrimination protections in the Human Rights Ordinance) and would have forever barred any future legislation addressing employment relations.

When Jacobs announced her support for Thompson’s unvetted “Hail Mary” amendment, I entered the fray to protect the HRO as well as future protections for LGBT employees.

And I witnessed one of the most despicable displays of anti-democratic, obstructionist cronyism by local government that I have ever seen.

The media has effectively reported the details of how Jacobs and the Commission pulled every tool out of their bag of dirty tricks and ultimately succeeded— against the legal advice of the county attorney—in keeping the sick leave initiative off of the November ballot, thus rendering Thompson’s proposed amendment moot.

That was bad enough. But thanks to Jacobs’ reluctant release of text messages, the curtain was pulled

I think we can all raise our hands and collectively call ‘Bullshit.’

back and Jacobs was fully exposed as a �lagrant �louter of Sunshine Laws and as the puppet of a “shadow government” cabal that appears to control her every move. Jacobs initially refused to provide the texts, despite clear legal guidelines establishing that the texts on her personal phone are public records if related to county business. When Jacobs did release the texts, they revealed a calculated strategy that appeared to be dictated by the big business corporate interests who oppose the sick leave initiative.

The names were familiar— Shaughnessy, Wilkes, Dowless, Republican County Chairman Lew

Y O G A

Oliver. The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, previously big fans of Jacobs, blasted her for ducking Sunshine Laws and being “stage managed” by her puppeteers during the pivotal BCC meeting. Pathetically, in one text in the midst of the public hearing, Jacobs begged Shaughnessy to please tell her what her position is, so she could explain herself to the ignorant masses, who seemed to be very upset with her for some reason she was unable to comprehend.

Teresa Jacobs may have appeased her “well-heeled” puppeteers.

But to the rest of us, the emperor has no clothes. |  |

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positiveliving

Pinellas’ HIV patients face tough decisions

Greg Stemm GREG@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

L

IKE MANY IN THE HIV/AIDS

community, my health care has taken a sudden, unexpected turn.

With the resignation of Barry Rodwick from his practice mid-September, I already feel uncomfortable without an HIV specialist.

(See the Rodwick Resigns story at WatermarkOnline.com).

Rodwick appears to have acted in our best interest. He expressed that the quality of our care was suffering and he couldn’t bring himself to continue to give us secondrate care. Rodwick should be commended for this.

On the other side, the way AHF, the management company, has treated his patients is abysmal. To date it has not communicated with any patients about the change, rather opting to “spring” the news on us as we have our regularly scheduled appointments.

That is not acceptable.

I am not satis�ied just seeing a temporary replacement to cover my HIV health care needs. Barring an unexpected cure, my disease has a lot of permanence

to it. I need a permanent professional who I know and respect to manage my care, not some “scab” brought in from South Florida.

The lack of communication rests entirely with AHF. Rodwick does not have access to our records and was not able to communicate to us directly.

My next regularly scheduled appointment is Nov. 1 and I plan on keeping it, if for no other reason than to see �irsthand how AHF handles this situation. Honestly, it’s likely I will demand my records and �ind another HIV professional who will accept me as a patient. My plan is to not make a scene, but I intend to be quite �irm with these folks.

My biggest concern is that I won’t have a physician handling my health care. I don’t want to act rashly with AHF, but even if a permanent replacement is named in advance of my next appointment, there is no guarantee I will feel comfortable with that specialist.

My HIV specialist isn’t an easily replaceable commodity. I will need to interview a new person before I would consider discussing my health. AHF has shown a casual disregard for the faith we place in our HIV specialists. I will not casually forgive it for that.

Like many HIV patients, I am on disability, which means I have Medicare and it’s a little easier for me to go to another HIV specialist.

Virtually all of them take Medicare.

However, one of the reasons I went to Rodwick was that he took Medicaid, which at the time was my only health care insurance coverage. At the time, no other practice in the area would accept Medicaid. Today, those who �ind themselves in a similar situation may be locked into AHF. Because of this, other providers in the area should reconsider their acceptance of Medicaid.

I am also concerned that there will be an overwhelming �light from AHF to other practitioners and I might get locked out of seeing anyone.

I am weighing if I should just go ahead and make an appointment with one of these other options so when I leave the AHF of�ice Nov. 1 that I feel like I’m covered.

On the other hand, I would strongly consider going back to Rodwick if he opens a new of�ice.

What I don’t want, however, is to bounce from one HIV specialist to another. I have lived with HIV for 21 years and I know how important

continuity of care is to my health.

I also have other health issues, some handled with strategies that work for me but could be controversial in the hands of someone who doesn’t truly understand my needs.

So Dr. Roswick, if you are reading this and you indeed plan to open a new practice, we need to know about it sooner rather than later. Many of us would probably follow you, but right now we have no idea how you will communicate with us.

I need to know—we all need to know—so we can make the appropriate decisions. You’ve acknowledged that this is going to be

traumatic for us, but you can alleviate some of that trauma by making decisions quickly and relaying those to us.

This is a dramatic development for all of us and we have some serious decisions to make about the future of our health care. You have my commitment as a journalist and as an outspoken representative of the HIV/ AIDS community to share whatever inside information I can glean with you as soon as I know it.

If we don’t panic and stay informed, as Rodwick said in his letter to patients, “it should all work out.”

At least, let’s hope so. |  |

OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

I need a permanent professional who I know and respect to manage my care, not some “scab” brought in from South Florida.

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watermarkonline.com

1 0 Million

TALKING POINTS

Ain’t nothing wrong with bein’ a little gay.

Everybody’s a little gay.

The number of times the word ‘Faggot’ is tweeted in a year:

45, 236

The most times ‘Faggot’ was tweeted in one day, on Aug. 22, 2012:

—According to NoHomophobes.com, which tracks Twitter references of homophobic words.

SEE YOUR COMMENT HERE! Head over to watermark0nline.com and tell us what YOU think.

— HONEY BOO BOO , TLC CHILD REALITY STAR

‘SOOKIE’ DEFENDS MARRIAGE

AS A BISEXUAL WOMAN

A

NNA PAQUIN IS BISEXUAL, AND JUST BEING MARRIED TO TRUE BLOOD CO-STAR STEPHEN MOYER doesn’t change that.

‘Sookie’ told Red Magazine that she’s happy in her marriage and that even though she’s attracted to both sexes, she’s thrilled with her relationship— and new twins—with ‘Vampire Bill.’

“Some people �ind it odd that you can identify with a sexual orientation that is not straight and yet be married to someone of

N the opposite sex,” she told the mag. “If that’s how you feel, there’s nothing I can do about it. [Being bisexual] is just part of who I am.” |  |

BC HAS GIVEN A GREEN LIGHT TO ITS GROUNDBREAKING SERIES THE NEW NORMAL to continue �ilming a full season. The comedy about a gay couple, their surrogate and her daughter and grandmother is averaging 6 million viewers in its �irst few weeks.

The series sparked controversy even before it aired because of its plot, and One Million Moms—the right-wing group that seems to boycott everything—immediately raised a stink. Soon after, an NBC af�iliate in Utah decided to not carry the Ryan Murphy-created series.

Partners, the CBS sitcom created by the team that brought us Will & Grace is still struggling to �ind an audience, and its future remains uncertain. |  |

PEOPLE ARE TALKING AT WATERMARKONLINE.COM

WATERMARKONLINE.COM POLL

ON THE LARGO CITY COMMISSION DISCUSSION ON WHETHER STRAIGHT COUPLES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN DOMESTIC PARTNER REGISTRIES:

SHOULD DOMESTIC PARTNER REGISTRIES INCLUDE STRAIGHT, UNMARRIED COUPLES?

“No they shouldn’t. They have the legal recourse of marriage.”

—JIM LANGFORD

“Yes, exclusion is not working towards equality. Unity is key to building a better tomorrow.”

—SHANNON M. FORTNER-HOLLENDER

Straight couples should have a commitment option that is not rooted in religion.

VICTORIES FOR CHRISTIAN GROUP AN SAVAGE HAS THE ABILITY TO SAY WHAT SO MANY OF US WISH WE COULD SAY. The sex columnist spoke recently at Winona State University about the suicide rates among LGBT youth, and he directly attacked Tony Perkins and the so-called Chris-

tian Family Research Council.

“Every dead gay kid is a victory for the Family Research Council,” he told the audience, saying that the organization dubbed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center drives LGBT youth to suicide because of its ongoing anti-

Yes.

Excluding any type of consensual partnership between two adults is at odds with the LGBT marriage equality movement.

17% Yes.

SAVAGE SAYS ‘DEAD GAY KIDS’ ARE

D

NEW NORMAL GETS FULL SEASON

17% No.

If straight couples can register as domestic partners, it muddies the political waters and diminishes the value of same-sex domestic partner relationships. gay rhetoric. When confronted about his statement, Savage— who founded the It Gets Better Project—didn’t back down and stood by his words. |  |

8% No. Straight couples

have the option of marriage and should use it accordingly. DPRs only exist because gays can’t marry.

OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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ONCE UPON A TIME ’S LANA PARRILLA WEIGHS IN ON GAY RIGHTS, WHY SHE SHOULD BE IN A PRIDE PARADE AND WHAT IT REALLY TAKES TO BE AN EVIL QUEEN

D

Erik R. Caban ERIK@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

O YOU LOVE A GOOD FAIRY TALE? IN THE

ABC series Once Upon a Time, the sleepy New England town of Storybrooke revolves around fairy tale characters frozen in the modern world. It’s a modern take with thrilling twists, hints of darkness, prurient princes, ostentatious costumes and even an evil queen. Simply put—it’s brimming with gay goodness!

Lana Parrilla, 35, is the woman behind the dual personalities “Regina Mills” and “The Evil Queen.” After a few lack-luster movies, Parrilla made a name for herself through roles on Spin City, 24, Swingtown and Miami Medical and was recently awarded an ALMA Award for Favorite TV Actress in a Drama for her role on Once Upon A Time.

In her newest role, Parrilla quickly became the character viewers loved to hate, her beauty and extraordinary

costumes balancing the evil deeds perpetuated by her character. But come to �ind out, The Evil Queen isn’t all that evil in real life.

Parrilla has championed LGBT rights in several arenas, from working on an upcoming short �ilm addressing suicide among LGBT youth to speaking out in support of marriage equality at the Human Right Campaign’s August Gala.

Despite a bout of laryngitis and

OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

Continued on page 36 |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

27

You can get a virus as simple as your computer can.

And you can protect yourself just as easily.

AIDS Service Association of Pinellas (ASAP) is a community resource for HIV education and prevention and for those already infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. With one in five U.S. adults or teenagers unaware of their HIV status — which may later turn to AIDS without care and treatment — it’s something you shouldn’t ignore for your own health.

Get the facts. Visit ASAPservices.org to learn more about HIV testing in our community. For those 20 and under, visit our youth site at GTECCH.org.

FOLLOW US

28

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

watermarkonline.com

Rebel Wilson and Anna Kendrick in the less-than-perfect Pitch Perfect.

Screened Out MOVIE REVIEWS

Creation and Possibility

P

ARANORMAN, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA:

Frankenweenie Voices of Charlie Tahan, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, Martin Landau

This Halloween everyone in Hollywood is robbing Tim Burton’s grave.

Frankenweenie is his own creation. This stopmotion animation bene�its from Burton’s quirky vision and—honestly—a commitment to story coherence we don’t always see from this director.

Stephen Miller

STEPHEN@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

Victor (Tahan) is a young scientist with a beloved dog, Sparky. A terrible accident claims Sparky’s life, and Victor becomes �ixated on bringing the pooch back from the grave. Victor’s creepy science teacher (Landau) may have shown the way. When other geeky kids discover Victor’s brilliance, they also start bringing back their own dead animals, to hilarious effect.

So much here is freakishly cool. Burton steals shot-by-shot from his own short (the �irst directing he did for Disney), as well as The Nightmare Before

Pitch Perfect

Won’t Back Down

Starring Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, John Michael Higgins, Elizabeth Banks

Starring Viola Davis, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Rosie Perez, Holly Hunter

M

DEAD ROVER, DEAD ROVER: A boy and his once-dead dog in Frankenweenie.

Christmas and The Corpse Bride. Burton also loves all those great black-and-white horror and sci-�i �ilms. Gamera, the Wolfman, the Invisible Man, and even the Mummy make appearances.

Some could say Burton’s doing camp homage, being reductive—making a copy of living works.

However, I feel Burton’s borrowing of body parts from other works is intentional, an act of great affection. There is de�initely a beating heart in Frankenweenie. Like Burton, everyone here is an unrepentant nerd, reveling in his or her own creepiness. Except for one small lecture on scienti�ic ethics (a tiny misstep), Burton pieces together an engaging story about how love and curiosity are at the heart of creative genius. |  |

Viola David and Maggie Gyllenhaal rally support for Won’t Back Down.

R

EADY TO GET SCHOOLED? Y NOTES ON PITCH I admit I had to review myself.

PERFECT: Funny idea, I saw Won’t Back Down twice fantastic performances, because a few things blinded me the great voices, good comic chops, �irst time. The acting is phenomenal, terrible delivery! especially Gyllenhaal’s. Also, I’m a sucker Kendrick is a gothy kid who’s for stories where common people been “forced” to go to college by her overcome seemingly impossible odds. At professor father. Daddy also drives �irst, I even liked the plot twists. this wannabe DJ into joining any Gyllenhall is the single Pittsburgh college group. At this same handy mom of a dyslexic daughter. She works moment, an a cappella girl group two jobs and worries that her child is �inds out that Kendrick can at the mercy of a lazy, overpaid sing. They desperately want to teacher protected by the win nationals. Problem is that RATINGS GUIDE unions. So, in great Norma despot singer Camp runs the Rae fashion, Gyllenhaal sets to group with an iron �ist. Camp change the system. She enlists is intent on slogging through the help of Davis—a gifted Overflowing tunes from last century, while teacher—to try to legally take with glittery Kendrick wants to mix it up. An over the school and oust the fabulousness arrogant boy group mocks the teacher’s union. women at every turn (except So, why does this �ilm Pretty damn that, of course, one of the boy barely make the grade? It’s good, but it’s no singers loves Kendrick). manipulative and simplistic.

Sunset Boulevard Most of this aims for comedy Won’t Back Down is distributed and often hits its marks.

by Walden Media, the same An entertaining Kendrick is naturally funny, and company who did Waiting for enough flick Rebel Wilson (Bridesmaids) Superman, the more coherent with perhaps as “Fat Amy” almost steals the and honest documentary a few holes movie. Commentators Higgins about the myriad of problems and Banks (she coproduced, facing inner-city schools. To Ever so slightly too) are consistently fantastic, heap all the blame on the watchable, just and the singing is top-notch. unions—who, honestly, are only for that hot actor The plot, though, is random partially responsible—seems and stupid. The girls say they disgustingly shortsighted and only sing female artists, and unprofessional.

Two hours of your life you’ll then that immediately goes out The �ilmmakers say this is never get back the window. Vomit is added based on a true story and then merely for gross-out humor. If refuse to name their source.

Kendrick is such a nonconformist, why The swelling music, the Hollywood does she bend to anyone’s will? This clichés and the grand speeches is a movie about a cappella, and yet smack of propaganda. Instead of plot the score isn’t. Furthermore, there are twists about Davis’ and Gyllenhaal’s entirely too many tangents. home lives, a braver �ilm would have Yet, when they sing—or when a added complications by showing joke lands—Pitch Perfect shows how it where there are no simple answers to could’ve lived up to its title. |  | failing schools. |  |

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Pride Fest 2012 “A Celebration of Family”

Oct 20th

J.D.Hamel Park 12-6 p.m.

Entertainment Schedule Karmic Tattoo Diversity - Diverse Experience UV Rays The Rocky Horror Show Waking Giants Iris Calling www.sarasotapride.org OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

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audiences respond to comedy, but they also want to experience a well-rounded piece of work.

“This one gets a little heavy,” says Johnson. “But the audience not only wants to laugh, they want to see some con�lict and resolution.”

Johnson credits some of the heft to the storyline of his main character being outed in a time when it was still considered taboo.

“Back in the day, it was a big deal; you just could not be gay,” says Johnson. “I was blackballed for it in my career. I remember distinctly when I went to this one commercial agency, and one of the agents there knew I was gay, and they ended up saying ‘No, don’t take him.’”

But Johnson says he can see an evolution not only in the entertainment world, but in society as a whole.

“I mean, did you see the line-up for this TV season?” he says. “There are three shows with gay guys as the stars!”

And while he is welcoming of this progress, he still sees certain inconsistencies.

“It’s a bit hypocritical,” he says.

“It’s ok to watch them on TV and DIRECTOR’S PERSPECTIVE: St. Petersburg playwright Joe Johnson says his new play, See You Next Tuesday, was originally titled Frenemies. laugh, but we still can’t get gay marriage laws passed.”

However Johnson is comfortable success, Lorraine outed Jack and with his current career and his subsequently ruined his career. Now, label as a “gay playwright”. decades later, she has reentered his “It is what it is,” he says. “Writers life in need of a favor, but Jack may write what they know. Things come not be ready to forgive and forget. out from my own life when I’m “Originally I had thought, ‘Ok, this writing.” one isn’t going to be a gay-themed And as Johnson gears up to start play’,” says Johnson. the three-week run “But when I started of See You Next thinking about Tuesday, he already the two main has ideas for characters I kept future plays. thinking, ‘What is “I’m kind of on a the con�lict? Why roll,” he says. “I have would he hate her a lot of ideas. I’m so much?’ And just trying to take it outing him and as it comes.” ruining his career See You Next seemed to be the Tuesday runs titled Frenemies,” says Johnson. most severe thing, through Oct. Zack Caruso ZACK@WATERMARKONLINE.COM “But then they came out with the so that started to 21, with shows Disney show of the same name, so I color in the spaces.

Thursday, Friday T. PETERSBURG | JOE JOHNSON SITS ON decided to change it to See You Next So it isn’t a ‘gay and Saturday at Tuesday. It works better though. the couch in the lobby of the L Train Theatre play’ per se, but it 7:30 p.m. and —JOE JOHNSON And it has a double meaning; some does have strong one matinee only Lounge, his legs crossed and his arm stretched people know what it means, and gay themes within it.” on Oct. 21 at 3 p.m. Seating is across the back cushions. He adjusts his unbuttoned others don’t. When you see the play, Johnson has not only starred extremely limited and reservations you’ll understand.” are highly recommended. in Hollywood �ilm and theater black blazer and takes a sip of his wine.

The play is a backstage comedy, productions, he has written, The L Train Theatre Lounge showing the audience what happens directed, and starred in a slew of to show that to the world once again “You have your questions all is located at 900 Central Avenue behind the scenes of theater life. when his newest original play See ready?” he asks. his own original plays including and will open at 6 p.m. on It tells the story of two former You Next Tuesday premieres at the L He’s a director even when he’s performance dates. Tickets Cellmate Confessions and Train Theatre Lounge in October. not directing. television show cast-mates, Jack are $ 20. For reservations, Greencard Wedding Bridesmaid.

“It was originally going to be It’s in his blood. And he’s ready call 727-823-2685. |  | and Lorraine. At the height of their Over time, he has learned that

Double entendre THEATER

With See You Next Tuesday, Joe Johnson mixes comedy with heft

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“It has a double meaning, some people know what it means, and others don’t.

When you see the play, you’ll understand.”

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IT’S GOOD TO BE BAD: Lana Parrilla stars as “Regina, The Evil Queen” on ABC’s hit series Once Upon a Time, now in its second season. PHOTO COURTESY ABC

|  | Lana Parilla from pg.13 a grueling production schedule, Parrilla made time to call Watermark from her home in California.

“My voice is much better than yesterday,” she assured. “My friend said I sounded like The Evil Queen who smokes two packs of cigarettes.”

WATERMARK: HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH HRC?

LANA PARRILLA: A good friend of mine, Raven Tony, has been dying to get me out to Cleveland and asked if I would come to the event. I thought it was as simple as just going to the event. So, I said, “Sure, I’d love to come!” Then, he asked if I would speak at the event. So, I did and everyone was so wonderful. I had an incredible night!

YOU SPOKE ABOUT YOUR COUSIN AND HIS STRUGGLE WITH COMING OUT. AS A STRAIGHT ALLY, WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU OFFER TO THOSE

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Worrying about who you are or living in a lie, I think, is a fate worse than death. —LANA PARRILLA THAT MAY BE GRAPPLING WITH THE DECISION TO COME OUT?

I would say to �ind a support system, even if it’s not at home. I know there are groups and hotlines that offer support for coming out. Always stay true to yourself. I think that’s the number one most important thing. Worrying about who you are or living in a lie, I think, is a fate worse than death.

I experienced that in a different way. Everyone in my family, for a long time, didn’t want me to be an actress. They knew it was going to be a long road and it would be dif�icult. I’ve been doing this for 17 years. It wasn’t because of me [that they were against it], it was

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

just because they knew it would be challenging. But I couldn’t help but do what I love. I knew if I tried to do anything else, I would be miserable.

It’s like when you try to be someone you’re not, you’re not only going to be worse off yourself, but for everyone in your life.

CLEARLY, YOU’RE AWARE OF YOUR LGBT FAN BASE.

Yes, I am and I love them!

YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF FANMADE SITES AND BLOGS. DO YOU HAVE ANY INTERESTING STORIES ABOUT YOUR GAY FANS?

My friend Mike Kelly—who’s gay and who created [the show I starred

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in] Swingtown and the new hit show Revenge—recently said to me, if there is any other character you could’ve played, other than “Trina” from Swingtown, it would be “The Evil Queen.” [Laughs.] I think he really just wanted me to [play the role] so he could borrow my costumes. [Laughs.] I can just hear him; “I love how you’re playing that role and can I borrow your costumes?” It’s so funny how often my cousin calls me and goes, “Oh my God, I love what you wore last night!

It’s identical to something I have.”

YOUR CHARACTER HAS DONE SUCH CRUEL THINGS YET WE CAN SYMPATHIZE WITH HER.

watermarkonline.com

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

The one thing that I love—and I touched on it in my HRC speech—is that my character is very vivacious and bold, be it the attire or the glamorous hair and make-up. But the thing that I think the LGBT community can relate to is that she is misunderstood, she has had challenges, and she’s been an outcast. That is a common ground the LGBT community has experienced as has my character.

Maybe it happens on a subconscious level but maybe that’s why they love her so much. They feel empathic.

On a super�icial level, the costumes and those fabulous jewels—it’s so fun! Every time I get into costume, I wish there was a Gay Pride parade that I could just strut in. I’m always like, “Where’s my �loat? Put me on it now.” [Laughs.]

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE AN “EVIL QUEEN?”

A lot of patience. [Laughs.] You have to have a sense of humor and be able to laugh at yourself once in a while. Some of those scenes can

get a little intense, so I have to stop and crack a smile. It takes a lot of hard work.

My character may be “The Evil Queen” but at the core she is a human being just like everybody else.

When I focus on her struggles as a human being, it makes her much more relatable. She’s a tortured soul and she’s a misunderstood woman. I have to really go deep and dig—not only within myself—but also externally to portray her. Then, there’s the fabulous wardrobe �ittings. I could stay in there all day and dress up in those costumes! I call it “Drag Evil.” [Laughs.]

IS IT DIFFICULT PLAYING DUAL ROLES?

It is. I make it a point to make them distinctively different. Obviously, there has to be some commonalities but I didn’t want them to have the same voice.

I didn’t want them to have the same body language, and obviously they don’t dress the same.

The hairstyle is very important. The mayor has to have politician hair. With the queen, the crazier she gets, the bigger her hair gets—more hairspray and more hair pieces. It was a bit of a struggle at �irst; I had to separate the scripts, Storybrooke from Fairy Tale Land and work on them and then slowly bring them together.

Now, there are days on set, I play the mayor and the evil queen in one day. I now feel the characters are part of me, so it’s a smooth transition.

DID YOU THINK ONCE UPON A TIME WAS GOING TO BE AS BIG OF A HIT AS IT’S BECOME?

I had no idea. I certainly hoped—for two reasons. One, this is my seventh series. [Laughs.] Two, I want it to be successful for everyone involved. I love my co-stars. They’re phenomenal and they’re hard-working.

UNLIKE YOUR PREVIOUS ROLES IN SWINGTOWN AND MIAMI MEDICAL, IT SEEMS THIS ROLE IS DEFINITELY MORE VENOMOUS. WAS IT DIFFICULT TO TRANSITION?

Yes. This is a darker place to live. I have to go to a darker place within myself.

Certain characters I’ve played in the past have had similar psychological... diseases, for lack of a better word or a dysfunction of some kind.

HOW DID YOU PREP FOR THIS ROLE?

I channeled Glenn Close, Ingrid Bergman, read some books but a lot of it was imagination. I am a Puerto-Rican, Sicilian woman from Brooklyn so I can get in your face and tell you to “fuck off.” [Laughs.]

I did say at the ALMAs that “I knew my hot-blooded temper would help me at some point.” [Laughs.]

HOW DID THE ROLE COME ABOUT?

It was presented to me by a casting director. They must’ve seen her in me as well. I’m really a nice person. [Laughs.]

I SAW THE NAME “EVIL REGALS” POPPING UP A LOT ON YOUR TWITTER FEED. WHO ARE THEY?

The Evil Regals are “Evil Queen” fans. Josh Dallas’s [who plays “Prince Charming”] fans are called “Charmers” and I’d hear from fans wondering what they were called. I thought about it and came up with “The Evil Regals.”

Once I tweeted that, it just took off.

They are incredibly supportive of one another. They thank me all the time for introducing each other. They’re a huge family—a big evil family. [Laughs.] But there’s a lot of love in that evil family.

AN EVIL QUEEN RAISING A CHILD IS A NEW TWIST TO THE FAIRY TALE. MANY LGBT PARENTS CAN PROBABLY RELATE.

My cousin and his partner live in Florida and have two adopted kids and I know they’re going through a struggle. They are their kids. My entire family is in their lives. It took some time for our family to come around and support my cousin’s sexual identity and his choice of who he wanted to marry and have children with. Now that he and his partner are struggling and separating, there’s a battle over these two kids. I know that in Florida gay marriage isn’t recognized and gay couples who adopt or have a child through a surrogate don’t have equal rights. I �ind that extremely disappointing.

It should be recognized in every single state. I don’t think you should discriminate on any level. Even if you don’t share the same blood doesn’t mean that as a parent, you don’t care for your child.

Going back to “Regina” and “Henry” [on Once Upon a Time]—she’s not his biological mother but she’s going to �ight “Emma Swann.” I can hear my character saying, “Listen, you can’t take my son away. I don’t care if he’s your biological son. I raised him for 10 years!”

So, to me it’s just absurd. I think it’s just a matter of time before it changes.

It’s very upsetting to me. Now that it’s affected me, I have a personal relationship with it and have no right to be ignorant. It affects me on a very deep, emotional level. I want change. Enough, with the ignorance. I want the state of Florida to recognize marriage equality and equal rights. I’m trying not to swear.

[Laughs.] It’s infuriating. It boggles my mind—even though we’ve come so far— there’s still so much further to go. |  |

MORE INFORMATION

WHO: Lana Parrilla WHAT: Once Upon a Time WHEN: Sundays, 8 p.m., ABC OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

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Greater Orlando Gala

FLORID 2012 EQUA LITY FLOR ID A

Friday, November 2nd 8PM - 10PM AT THE MEZZ 100 S. EOLA DRIVE, ORLANDO

You are cordially invited to the Equality Florida Greater Orlando Gala. Join us as we celebrate our 2012 Voice For Equality Award winner, Orange County Comptroller Martha Haynie for her commitment to creating a Domestic Partner Registry for Orange County.

Enjoy delightful cocktails, tasty hors d’oeuvres and hear about the exciting work of Equality Florida from our dynamic Executive Director, Nadine Smith.

Minimum suggested contribution of $100 sponsorship opportunities begin at $500

RSVP at www.eqfl.org/orlandogala or (407) 462-9692 TM

YOUR 2012 EQUALITY FLORIDA GREATER ORLANDO GALA STEERING COMMITTEE:

FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH

Danny Humphress (Chair) David Baldree, Scott Hewit, Mary Meeks, Patricia Padilla, Frederic Potvin, Joe Royals, Richard Russell and Edward Woodill Equality Florida is the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Equality Florida Institute is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions are deductible for income-tax purposes to the full extent of the law.

Corporate sponsors as of 10/1/12. Additional sponsorships are available.

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ARTS &

ENTERTAINMENT EVENT PLANNER

QUICK PICKS Orlando

Vampire’s Ball OCT. 19-21 Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre 407-849-2577 TicketMaster.com

Wanda Sykes OCT. 26 Hard Rock Live 407-351-LIVE HardRockLive.com

Tampa

WRAPture after party OCT. 13 Club Czar TIGLFF.com

JekyllANDHyde

R

&B SUPERSTAR AND ST. PETE

Pride 2012 headliner Deborah Cox joins American Idol �inalist Constantine Maroulis to inject new life in the touring production of Jekyll & Hyde, stopping at the Straz Center in Tampa Oct. 23-28.

Clearwater ARToberfest

OCT. 20-21 St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 727-446-7718 ext. 226

Sarasota UV Rays

OCT. 20 Trinity MCC 941-355-0847 TrinityMCC.com For more events or to submit your upcoming show, concert or performance, visit

watermarkonline.com.

TAMPA

I

ST. PETERSBURG The Bette Set

T’S NO SECRET THAT BETTE MIDLER HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN THE HEARTS OF LGBTS— particularly gay men. So The Bette Set—A Musical Journey to Midler Earth is a no-brainer for our community and fans of the musical and comic genius.

Created by Michael Raabe and Sara Delbeato, the onenight cabaret arrives at freeFall Theatre at 6099 Central Ave. on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 8 p.m.

DelBeato will perform as Midler and Raabe will accompany her on the piano.

The cabaret sold out last

year and this year’s one-night celebration is a fundraiser for the Trevor Project. The show features covers of Midler’s songs, from her camp classics to her power ballads and music hits. Expect to laugh, applaud and see more than one member of the audience don some fabulous shoes and a feather boa. Don’t worry, those are optional.

Tickets are $15 and all proceeds bene�it The Trevor Project. For information or to purchase tickets, visit freeFallTheatre.com or call 727-498-5205. |  |

After a four-year run on Broadway and multiple worldwide tours, the dark and dangerous love story from Tony and Grammy Award nominee Frank Wildhorn and Oscar and Grammy Winner Leslie Bricusse continues with the classic songs “This is the Moment, “A New

E

ORLANDO Bear Bust

ACH YEAR THE BEARS CONVERGE ON ORLANDO—AND WE’RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE COUNTRY BEAR JAMBOREE at Disney World in June. Bear Bust returns to the Parliament House Oct. 18-21 and the hirsute from around the country are expected to attend.

Each year, hundreds—if not thousands—of masculine, hairy gay men celebrate together with dance parties, drink specials and, we’ll call them networking events.

Some of the special events include My Big Gay Game Show

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Life,” and “Someone Like You.” While the songs and the story will be very familiar, Jekyll & Hyde has a more updated feel to it for the touring production, according to what Cox told Watermark last summer.

For tickets and more info, visit StrazCenter.org. |  |

Bear edition and the Bear Olympics on Oct. 18.

On Friday, Oct. 19, a vendor fair will be set up in the P-House courtyard before the Full Moon Reunion with DJ Walter at 8 p.m.

On Oct. 20, DJ Cap’n Kirk spins near the pool and Gidget Galore hosts some pool games.

You also want to tune in for the Mr. Bear Bust and Mr. Parliament House Bear contests.

And on Sunday, Oct. 21, the Bear T-Dance begins at 3 p.m.

For more information and ticket prices, visit ParliamentHouse.com or search for Bear Bust on Facebook. |  |

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Tampa Bay

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1- FILM FAMILY: Director Gary Tarracino, far right, is joined on stage by actors from his film Elliot Loves, and TIGLFF President Ken Hodges, center, at the Tampa Theater Oct. 5. PHOTO BY NICK CARDELLO

2- 5 O’CLOCK SOMEWHERE: Members of the Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (formerly the Tampa Bay Business Guild) man the beer truck outside the Tampa Theater on opening night, Oct. 5.

PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD

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3- KEEP ON TRUCKIN’: Hillsborough County’s Supervisor of Elections, Craig Latimer, and his wife, Sharon, attend the food truck rally at the opening of TIGLFF in Tampa on Oct. 5. PHOTO BY STEVE

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BLANCHARD

4- GET SOAKIN’ WET: Arica Love enjoys some suds at the Honey Pot’s Foam Party Sept. 30. PHOTO COURTESY JACK GARRETT 5- TWO FACED: Kori Stevens showcases her dual personality during a performance at Gender Redux, a benefit for Trans*Action Florida at Georgie’s Alibi on Oct. 2. PHOTO COURTESY TINKERFLUFF.COM 6- LET’S DANCE: The Tampa Bay Outlaws get ready to dance in the Come Out With Pride Parade in Orlando on Oct. 6. PHOTO COURTESY ROGER BELL

7- GIRL, YOU KNOW IT’S TRUE: (L-R) Carla Vaughan bonds with Find A Drag Show owners Melody and Jori (in makeup prior performing as Milli Vanilli) before the Gender Redux fundraiser at Georgie’s Alibi Oct. 2. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD 8- GENDER REDUX: Andy and Sasha Citino perform in respective drag during Gender Redux at Georgie’s Alibi Oct. 2.

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PHOTO COURTESY TINKERFLUFF.COM

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OVERHEARD WHEN ‘S/HE’ IS ACTUALLY APPROPRIATE

A

SK ANY MEMBER OF THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT THE TERM “S/HE” and you’re bound to get an earful. But no other term worked quite as well during the Gender Redux fundraiser at Georgie’s Alibi on Oct. 2.

Members from throughout the LGBT and allied community cross-dressed for Trans*Action Florida and raised money for the only statewide transgender resource. The show, which, no surprise started more than an hour late, featured the owners

of Find A Drag Show 80s lip synchers Milli Vanilli and Andy and Sasha Citino in their own gender-bending duet. The night got off to an uplifting and powerful start when Kori Stevens came out to perform in split drag—half man, half woman— and then welcomed attendees to the fundraiser. The message of the night? Regardless of your gender, a caring community can unite for a great cause.

WAVES ROLLING INTO TAMPA

I

T’S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IT’S ALMOST TIME TO SHARE WATERMARK READERS’ FAVORITES during the

annual WAVE Award celebration.

And this year, the party is shaping up to be an amazing one! Readers and winners are invited to attend the Tampa Bay/Sarasota Wave Award Party at The Samba Room in Tampa’s Soho district on Thursday, Nov. 8. Details will be released over the next few weeks, but Alexis De La Mer will step up and co-host the party, along with Watermark editor Steve Blanchard and advertising sales reps Selena Fuller and Bill Jeffries.

Alexis most recently appeared in the pages of Watermark sporting the award-winning headdress from Orlando’s Headdress Ball, and she’s also a former Watermark cover girl, offering a twist on classic Thanksgiving

dining in 2010. Voting for the 2012 WAVE Awards is over, and we’re busy tabulating. Results will be published in the Nov. 8 edition of Watermark and online at WatermarkOnline.com.

QUENCH IS COMING!

C

OME DECEMBER, LARGOAREA LGBTS WILL HAVE A NEW AND MUCH NEEDED BAR to enjoy happy hour, special events and each other’s company.

Quench Lounge will open in the same plaza that once housed the now-closed Christopher Street Bar. Marketing folks are quick to point out that while the bar is in the same plaza at 66th Street and Ulmerton Road in Largo, it is not in the same unit that was

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the home to Christopher Street.

Details are slowly emerging on the bar’s Facebook page and “trendy and casual” are the most used terms to describe the atmosphere of the new lounge. In a rare move for a bar, Quench has asked the local community to help with designing its logo, and many of the submissions are posted on its Facebook page. Whoever submits the winning entry will win a stay on Clearwater Beach.

Some details are still under wraps—like the date of the grand opening in December or who will be behind the bar. But according to Quench Lounge, permitting is done and remodeling is well underway. |  |

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CLUB ORLANDO COME OUT TO PLAY! Gyms come and go……

Club Orlando’s Gym has been here for 14 years and is still going strong!

We Offer Monthly and Annual Memberships. Stop in for a tour and a complimentary work out.

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$

4 HOUR LOCKERS M – F • 10AM – 2PM

450 E. COMPTON STREET ORL ANDO, FL (407) 425-5005 W W W.THECLUBS.COM

THE CLUB ORLANDO ®

GOOD. CLEAN. FUN.

And you thought only humans could appreciate

come out with pride!

Proud puppies and fierce flowers from…

LEE JA MES FLOR A L DESIGNS 12 49 N .O R A N G E AV E . O R L A N D O • 4 0 7- 8 9 7- 53 0 0 W W W. L E E J A M E S F L O R A L . C O M

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ORLANDO

1- ACTION!: (L-R) Mikael Audebert, Chely Wright, Margaret Nolan, and Eddie Cooper smile outside The Abbey prior to the Out in the Open Film Fest on Oct. 3. PHOTO BY TOM DYER 2- OUT OF THE BLUE: Pop icon and Come Out With Pride grand marshal Debbie Gibson shook her love live at Parliament House to a crowd of thousands. PHOTO BY ERIK CABAN 3- BALANCING ACT: Deb Ofsowitz (left) and Lu Mueller-Kaul, owners of Balance Massage, network at the MBA Pride in Business Luncheon Oct. 4 at Rosen Plaza Hotel. PHOTO BY RICK CLAGGETT

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4- GRAND OPENING: Mad Cow Theatre executive director Mitzi Maxwell and Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer are joined by Orlando City Commissioners and Mad Cow Board members to cut the ribbon on the Theatre’s new location at 54 West Oct. 2. PHOTO BY TOM HURST 5- FILM CHAT: Watermark publisher Tom Dyer talks with director Macky Alston, whose Love Free or Die documentary was the opening night feature at the Out in the Open Film Festival at The Abbey Oct. 3. PHOTO BY MARK CADY

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6- DAMMIT, JANET: Kristen “Syke O Delic” Warskow skated for the “Sweet Transvestites” at Orlando Psycho City Derby Girls Rocky Horror Picture Show-themed bout Sept. 29 at Semoran Skateway.

PHOTO COURTESY PHANTOM PHOTOGRAPHICS

7- DRINKS FOR A CAUSE: Gary Israel (left) and Rob Ross enjoy a cocktail during Savoy’s guest bartender fundraiser event, raising more than $3,000 for The Center. PHOTO BY RANDY STEPHENS 8- BIRTHDAY GIRL: Jamie Hyman (right), Watermark’s Director of Online Media, celebrates her birthday at Dirty Bingo, hosted by Blue Starr (left), at Stardust Sept. 25. PHOTO BY MATT HUERTAS

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OVERHEARD ONE LAST SIP

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ACK IN JULY, A REAL ESTATE LISTING WENT UP ON LOOPNET. COM FOR THE LOCATION CURRENTLY OCCUPIED BY SIP ORLANDO, advertising the space for lease. Could this mean the local watering hole owned by former Lava Lounge entrepreneurs Alan Miller, Jeff Walton and Koko is closing? Walton con�irmed during this weekend’s Come Out With Pride festivities, “I’ll never open another bar again,” he said. Their doors are set to close Oct. 21. Sip, located in the uber trendy and LGBT fave ViMi district, is known for its craft beers, wine selection and

artsy atmosphere. Sip opened its doors only a few years ago in January 2009.

ROASTED

A

TTORNEY AND LONGTIME ACTIVIST ELLIOTT BARBER IS SET TO BE ROASTED FOR CHARITY. As part of Joy MCC’s annual Thanksgiving food drive, Barber will take the stage and be roasted by none other than the camp queen Miss Sammy alongside Lady Champagne. For the 20th anniversary, a dinner and a roast will be held Oct. 12 at the Sorosis Women’s Club. For the last 20 years, the Joy MCC food drive has collected and

created their Bags of Joy to help families that might have otherwise gone without. The Garret-Reed Thanksgiving food drive provides complete Thanksgiving meals for a family of four. Last year, despite a turkey burgle, 350 bags were �illed. For more info, visit JoyMCC.com

THE QUEENS AND LIZ LANGLEY

W

RITER LIZ LANGLEY’S DEBUT PLAY THE QUEEN AND I: A DOPEY COMEDY ABOUT A GRUMPY WITCH THAT WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY PREMIERED at The Footlight

Theatre Oct. 6. In this rendition, The Wicked Queen thinks she’s going to have a typical day of abusing her servant, having human sacri�ices made in her honor and visiting her Magic Mirror when suddenly she realizes her mirror has taken the day off and has been replaced with a talkative temp.

The sassy Elizabeth Murff plays “The Wicked Queen” and female impersonator Addison Taylor plays “the Mirror.”As part of promotion for the show, Langley and Murf—donned in her lavish Queen wardrobe—rode in the Saturday, Oct. 6 Come Out With Pride Parade. “[Murf] was as spectacular with the

OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

crowd as she is onstage and it was a pleasure to watch her in her element,” Langley gushed.

She went on to describe her observations about this year’s event. “I thought it was a pretty diverse crowd—not just about gay or straight—and it was fun to watch people, from little kids on up to seniors and everywhere in between, enjoying the show,” she noted.

That “diversity” may have even landed Langley a date. “I met two handsome straight men that day, one of whom gave me his number, which just goes to show you that a.) anything can happen at Pride and b.) don’t be too quick to judge anything at �irst sight.” |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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the Purple Pages on

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tampa bay marketplace

LIBRARIAN EMERITUS: Retiring USF St. Petersburg faculty member Gerald Notaro was granted

emeritus status in honor of his 26 years of service. He is flanked by Norine Noonan, regional vice chancellor for academic affairs and Poynter Library Dean Carol Hixon.

Transitions

CHANGE-OF-LIFE COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS Congratulations Gerald Notaro of St. Petersburg was recently granted emeritus status in honor of his 26 years of service to the University of South Florida—St. Petersburg. The long-time member of the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library received the honor from the USFSP Campus Board on Sept. 19. The status is reserved for retiring faculty whose impact on the University was and likely will continue to be of extraordinary significance. It grants certain privileges as well, including access to office space, campus computing and participation in academic processions.

Phish Phest Entertainment celebrates 12 years in business on Oct. 15.

AIDS Walk Tampa Bay founder Anthony Barros and Macy’s fashionista Ed Leonard celebrated the second anniversary of their holy union Oct. 10.

Watermark editor Steve Blanchard and partner Phil Garris celebrate the 12th anniversary of their holy union on Oct. 13.

St. Petersburg couple Thomas Ziri and Jeffrey Nicolaus celebrated 14 years together on Oct. 3.

Grace Restoration Church in Lakeland celebrates its two year anniversary on Oct. 16.

What’s Happening Magazine celebrates its 7th year of publishing this month.

Passings Bruce Johnson, 51, of St. Petersburg, died suspiciously on Sunday, Sept. 30. No further details were available pending an investigation. For more on the story, see Tampa Bay News, Page 12.

Local Birthdays GaYbor entertainer and Tampa institution Joey Brooks (Oct. 14); former gift shop owner and Tampa retiree Howard Hawk (Oct. 15); handsome Suncoast softballer Michael Monnich and Orlando attorney and contributing Watermark columnist Mary Meeks (Oct. 16); Tampa political campaign guru and LGBT ally Mitch Kates, Lakeland-based Geico expert Barry Stemle,Ybor City’s King Corona Cigar expert Willy Emerson and Florida State Representative and new papa Scott Randolph (Oct. 17); Watermark contributor and UCF LGBTQ advocate David Moran and South Florida Gay News publisher Norm Kent (Oct. 18); St. Pete’s Everest University admissions specialist Mike Callahan, St. Petersburg photographer and graphic artist Byron Schaerr and Orlando make-up artist Scott Juszczak (Oct. 19); EMBARQ Quality Analyst Chris Hamlett, Florida Hospital intern and sexy Pulse dancer Louis Velasquez and Flamingo Car Club president Robert “Tiny” Nasworthy (Oct. 20); Orlando cosmetologist singing star Melisa Brown and New Port Richey CNA Anthony Menicola(Oct. 22); sexy Orlando maintenance specialist Joe Arlotta, America-lover Jaime DeFrancesco, Orlando Hamburger Mary’s drinkmeister Juan Torres and G. Bar and Honey Pot co-owner Steven Donahue (Oct. 23); founding president of the Hillsborough County GLBTA Democratic Caucus Sally Phillips, Tampa Bay LGBT activist Cathy James, St. Pete’s HSN hottie Eddie Tomanguilla, Savoy and Paradise Orlando co-owner George Butler and MBA president and Watermark covergirl Gina Duncan (Oct. 24).

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

OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

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Do This!

SAGE ADVICE FROM ‘THE TRUTH’

Snoring and Snarky Politics DEAR TRUTH,

I

’M A GAY CONSERVATIVE LIVING IN ORLANDO. My boyfriend, Dean, and I go out once a week with friends— sometimes to dinner or the theater, other times to a bar or club. Lately, it has been rare to make it though the evening without at least one of the guys going off about the upcoming election and making sweeping generalizations and insulting comments about Republicans. When I try to provide a rational response, I inevitably get shouted down and called “traitor” or “self-loathing” or worse. I know I’m in the minority, and I understand why some gays have a problem with the GOP, but I think my so-called friends are out of line for abusing me for my political beliefs (which include marriage equality, by the way) just because they don’t conform with the “gay mainstream.” Where do you stand?

Just Right of Left Dear Lefty, Freedom of expression and a pluralistic political system are basic tenets of democracy. The Truth has had it with the “my way or the highway” tenor of discourse that now prevails at both ends of the political spectrum.

When it comes to the size and role of government, as well as our nation’s involvement in geopolitics, it’s natural and healthy to disagree. The resulting conversations should be encouraged. The problem—and it’s a big one—is that there is far too little listening.

Here comes the Truth, baby: you’re a gay Republican. Your party has actively stood in the way of LGBT equality—your equality— for longer than you’ve been alive. So you better prepare a clever rejoinder that will defuse obnoxious Democrats with a few drinks in them before you change the subject.

“I like a challenge” or “Our bitches are better than your bitches” are just two examples.

And if there’s ever an opportunity to truly engage with a curious peer, take it. If you think the market sometimes works better

than government, and if you’re working to change Republican views about LGBT rights, the Truth is listening. If you think economics trump equality, not so much.

DEAR TRUTH,

I

’VE BEEN DATING A GREAT GUY, MARCUS, FOR ALMOST A YEAR and we’re very happy. Marcus lives in Lakeland, but we work together at Disney so he often spends the night with me in Kissimmee. The problem is that Marcus snores—really loudly. I don’t know how he sleeps through it, it’s so loud. And once he starts, there’s no stopping him. I’ve tried turning him over or waking him up, but he just falls back asleep and snores away. I’ve taken sleeping pills—including Ambien—but then I feel hung over the next day. Most nights we’re together, I’m lucky to get four hours of sleep. I know it’s not his fault, but I’m exhausted and starting to resent him for it. Help!

Up All Night

Dear Night Owl, The Truth likes big guys. He’s encountered this problem before. The easy short-term solution is to crawl in bed together for snuggling and sex, and then one of you decamp to a quieter spare bedroom. You can spoon again in the morning. If you don’t have two bedrooms consider recon�iguring your space, renting a bigger apartment or investing in a comfortable sleeper sofa.

If none of those work—or even if they do—Marcus should talk with his doctor.

Snoring like the kind you describe is unhealthy. Marcus may just need to lose some weight. Or he may have sleep apnea; a serious condition that can be fatal. There are devices that help, from simple nose attachments to a nighttime ventilator.

Here comes the Truth: your relationship with Marcus will never survive on four hours of sleep. If you want it to, address this problem—tonight. |  |

You better prepare a clever rejoinder that will defuse obnoxious Democrats with a few drinks in them.

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watermarkonline.com

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*% off discount applies to materials only; cushion, labor, and installation charges are additional. Prior orders exempt. See store for details on all offers and warranties. Offer expires 10/25/12. Participating stores only. Unless otherwise stated, all prices are for materials only. Not all merchandise in all stores. Photos are representational only. Actual merchandise may not exactly match photos shown. Although we make every effort to ensure that our advertising is accurate, we cannot be held liable for typographical errors or misprints. FAME-30132. 7/2012

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OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

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[CLASSIFIEDS]

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real estate for rent OFFICE BUILDING - Downtown

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Danny Veal, Realtor GRI, CLHMS & CDPE - I made a commitment

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VIZCAYA LUXURY CONDO -

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classifieds Watermark does not knowingly print advertisements for sexual services. Beyond printed content, Watermark does not inquire into the nature of personal or professional services advertising. Payment for sexual services is illegal in the State of Florida, and respondents to classified advertising should govern themselves accordingly. As required by law (Florida Statute 480.0465), Licensed Massage Therapists include their license number in all advertising.

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watermarkonline.com

Wire Report

M

OUT AND PROUD: Orlando Cruz is the first professional male boxer to come out during an active career.

Professional boxer is a ‘proud, gay man’ Wire Report

S

AN JUAN, PUERTO RICO | Orlando Cruz, the featherweight boxer ranked No. 4 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) from San Juan, Puerto Rico, has openly shared that he is “a proud, gay man.”

He added: “I’ve been �ighting for more than 24 years and as I continue my ascendant career I want to be true to myself. I want to try to be the best role model I can be for kids who

might look into boxing as a sport and a professional career. I have and will always be a proud Puerto Rican. I have always been and always will be a proud, gay man.”

Cruz began boxing at the age of seven and posted an amateur career record of 178-11. He won seven Puerto Rico titles and spent four years in the national team, winning seven gold medals, one silver and two bronze in international tournaments. His amateur career culminated as a representative of the 2000 Olympic Team in Sydney

where his team-mates included the former world champions Miguel Cotto and Ivan Calderon.

Cruz made his professional debut in December 2000 and won his �irst world title on March 22, 2008 (the IBA featherweight title) and a regional title on Oct. 14, 2011 (the WBO Latino featherweight title).

His next �ight is scheduled for Oct. 19 in Kissimmee, Fla., where he will defend the WBO NABO title against Jorge Pazos. A win would put him in position for a world-title shot. |  |

hockey—has come out while playing. Longtime NBA executive Rick Welts, then with the Phoenix Suns, drew attention last year for announcing he is gay.

McClatchy owned the Pirates from 1996 until 2007.

“You’re not going to solve any problem until you start a dialogue,” he said. “And there’s no dialogue right now.”

Throughout his tenure with Pittsburgh, McClatchy worked to keep his sexual orientation a secret from anyone beyond a tight circle of family and close friends, The Times reported.

McClatchy told the newspaper he frequently heard homophobic

language during his days in baseball.

It convinced him that staying closeted was the best course of action.

“I’m sure people will criticize me because I came out later, and I should have come out while I was in baseball and in the thick of it,” he said.

But McClatchy noted that his 50th birthday is coming in January and he’s spent decades avoiding talk about his personal life.

“There’s no way I want to go into the rest of my existence and ever have to hide my personal life again,” he said. |  |

Former Pirates owner comes out in New York Times Wire Report NEW YORK | Kevin McClatchy, the former owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates and now the board chairman at the McClatchy Company newspaper chain, said in an interview with The New York Times that he is gay.

The interview, which appeared online and in print editions last month, is the 49-year-old McClatchy’s �irst public acknowledgement of his sexual orientation.

No athlete in the four major U.S. professional sports leagues— football, baseball, basketball,

INNEAPOLIS, MINN. | NFL punters are only seen on fourth down and heard from less than that. But with Minnesota voters weighing whether to ban gay marriage this fall, Vikings punter Chris Kluwe has emerged as a high-pro�ile gay rights champion—and a symbol of changing attitudes toward homosexuality in the sports world.

“I’d like to win some votes against the amendment,” Kluwe told The Associated Press, referring to a constitutional amendment banning marriage equality. “It would permanently change the state constitution. Who are we to say we should decide what our children should do on this subject? If we’re not the generation to make gay marriage legal, why should we prevent our children having a say on the matter?”

Kluwe, a colorful 30-year-old with political science and history degrees from UCLA, is known for his love of video games, for getting a perfect score on the verbal portion of the SAT test and for his liberal political views. He agreed some time ago to speak out against Minnesota’s amendment and headlined a long-planned fundraiser against the amendment Sept. 28.

But Kluwe got a massive new audience for his views after he penned a blistering open letter to a Maryland state lawmaker who criticized another NFL player, Brendon Ayanbadejo of the Baltimore Ravens, for supporting marriage equality with the issue also on Maryland’s ballot.

Pro athletes and team of�icials say attitudes have slowly shifted in a sports culture often seen as one of the last bastions of acceptable homophobia.

“No active athlete in the four most popular pro sports—football, baseball, basketball or hockey—has come out publicly as gay, according to the gay-oriented sports website Outsports.com.

Some players have after retiring. Esera Tuaolo, a retired NFL tackle who played for the Vikings from 1992 to 1996, came out in 2002, explaining he stayed quiet for years when he heard homophobic slurs or taunting in the locker room.

Minnesota Gophers basketball star Trevor Mbakwe joined Kluwe and Tuaolo at the Minneapolis fundraiser.

“To defeat the amendment, we need to aim our message at the independent and moderate, maybe Republican-leaning voters that just haven’t thought much about this issue,” said Tracy Call, an ad exec for Minnesotans for Equality, which organized the event.

Several sports �igures say they were in�luenced by gay family members. Kluwe has a gay brother-in-law, “and I’d like to see him be able to get married someday,” he said.

Connor Barwin, a linebacker for the Houston Texans, has talked about his gay brother and his own support for equal marriage rights. |  |

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Pro athletes speak out for marriage equality

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Galleryw Go see more photos at

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PHOTOGRAPHY

C

OME OUT WITH PRIDE BROUGHT OUT EVERY PART OF THE ORLANDO COMMUNITY as it invaded Lake Eola Park and the surrounding streets on Oct. 6. The crowd estimates of organizers and Orlando Police vary, but many believed the 2012 festival to be the biggest one yet, and groups participating ranged from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the Walt Disney Company and several af�irming churches. |  |

OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

Photography by Jake Stevens JAKE@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

and Tom Dyer TOM@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

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WATERMARK AWARDS FOR VARIETY AND EXCELLENCE

YOU VOTED FOR YOUR FAVORITES. NOW JOIN THEM AS THEY ACCEPT THEIR AWARDS.

ORLANDO Wednesday, November 7th

LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED 7pm – 10pm SPONSORED BY

TAMPA BAY & SARASOTA Thursday, November 7th

SAMBA ROOM 1502 S. Howard Avenue 7pm – 10pm HOSTED BY: ALEXIS DE LA MER SPONSORED BY

®

2012

OCT. 11 - OCT. 24, 2012 // ISSUE 19.21

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

55

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