Watermark Out News Issue 32.08: License and Presentation

E n d i n g t h e H IV epide m i c

— MAIA MONET,

PHOTO

DYLAN TODD

Jeremy Williams

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jeremy@WatermarkOutNews.com

EDITOR’S DESK

Trump and Musk are domestic terrorists

WE FACE AN UNPRECEDENTED

threat from within — a movement fueled by authoritarianism, conspiracy theories and contempt for democracy.

At the center of this danger stands Donald Trump and Elon Musk, whose actions and rhetoric increasingly align with those of domestic terrorists. From inciting violent insurrections to dismantling democratic norms, their agenda poses a clear and present danger to the nation. Even more alarming is Trump’s recent flirtation with the idea of a third presidential term, a direct assault on the constitutional order that must be confronted before it’s too late.

Calling the current Trump administration domestic terrorists may seem extreme but let’s ask ourselves: What is domestic terrorism?

Domestic terrorism is the use of violence, intimidation or coercion to achieve political goals. Trump and Musk’s actions over the past few years certainly fit into that definition.

Trump’s role in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection was a textbook act of terrorism. He stood before his followers and told them to “fight like hell,” which directly led to the violence that day. All the individuals who were found guilty of committing crimes have now been pardoned and cleared of any wrongdoing.

Add in Musk’s 2022 takeover of Twitter (sorry, but I refuse to call it X) and his amplification of far-right extremists, election deniers and white supremacists, having turned the social media platform into a disinformation weapon.

Since taking office, Trump has consistently attacked judges that call out his unconstitutional behavior, claiming that any of them that disagree with him are bad at their job and that they should be impeached. It is a direct attack on the separation of powers the country was built on.

These are not the behaviors of a healthy democracy but that of an emerging authoritarian movement, and now Trump is dangerously flirting with the idea of a third term.

Let’s not forget that Trump joked about being “dictator for a day,” while MAGA stooges like Steve Bannon and Kari Lake openly called for overturning presidential term limits — but just for Trump.

History shows that when authoritarians cling to power, democracy dies. From Adolf Hitler’s Enabling Act, which allowed him to enact laws without parliament’s consent, to Vladimir Putin’s removal of his own term limits essentially making him president for life, the playbook is clear: weaken institutions, spread chaos and position yourself as the only solution.

Trump’s number one weapon against democracy in his second term has been his relationship with the world’s richest man. Musk is out here living like a real-life Bond villain, becoming one of the most dangerous men in the U.S. Twitter actively promotes neo-Nazis, election deniers and extremist content while suppressing dissent, all in the name of “free speech.”

Musk’s support online of the “Great Replacement Theory,” a white supremacist ideology; his reinstatement of banned far-right accounts — including Trump’s — and his attacks on the “woke mind virus” mirror fascist propaganda tactics. It may involve better technology, but it is the same playbook Hitler used.

Before it was turned over to Trump’s MAGA clan, the FBI had warned that right-wing extremism was the most lethal domestic terror threat, and those extremists are emboldened by Trump calling his opponents the enemy and by Musk endorsing posts calling for civil war.

Something else that Trump and his Legion of Doom borrowed from the Nazi playbook, blaming marginalized groups when something goes wrong. From anti-trans laws to stripping DEI from every corner of the government to illegally rounding up immigrants, the movement thrives on scapegoating vulnerable groups.

This isn’t politics as usual, it’s an ideological insurrection against democracy itself, and if Trump

If Trump gets a third term, America as we know it may not survive.

succeeds in getting a third term, it is game over. The U.S. will cease to be a democracy. A third term would mean permanent minority rule with Republicans gerrymandering and suppressing votes to stay in power indefinitely.

This is not speculation; it’s the inevitable outcome of unchecked power. Trump, Musk and the MAGA movement are not just political opponents, they are enemies of constitutional governance. Their goal is to replace democracy with a strongman regime, where dissent is crushed, elections are meaningless and violence is normalized.

The only way to stop this is by standing with each other, voting in overwhelming numbers to reject MAGA extremism and holding enablers like Musk accountable. Now is the time when we must begin preparing for the worst, because if Trump gets a third term, America as we know it will not survive. The warning signs are clear. Will we act before it’s too late?

CHRISTIAN HOTCHKISS is a Florida native raised in Tampa Bay. He performs in drag as Christina Moore and is the president of the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County. Page 15

DEBORAH BOSTOCK -KELLEY reviews theatre for Broadway World and other outlets and runs The WriteOne Creative Services. Page 19

HOLLY KAPHERR ALEJOS, SABRINA AMBRA, STEVE BLANCHARD, DEBORAH BOSTOCK-KELLEY, JOHNNY BOYKINS, MARTIN “LEIGH SHANNON” FUGATE, BIANCA GOOLSBY, JAKOB HERO-SHAW, LORA KORPAR, JASON LECLERC, JERICK MEDIAVILLA, MELODY MAIA MONET, TATIANA QUIROGA, TIFFANY RAZZANO, SISTER JUANA REACTION, MOMMA ASHLEY ROSE, TREVOR ROSINE, BRYANA SALDANA, GREG STEMM, SYLVIE TREVENA, MICHAEL WANZIE, MULAN WILLIAMS, DR. STEVE YACOVELLI

BRIAN BECNEL, NICK CARDELLO, J.D. CASTO, BRUCE HARDIN, JAMARCUS MOSLEY, DYLAN TODD, CHRIS STEPHENSON, LEE VANDERGRIFT PHOTOGRAPHY CMJM ENTERPRISES LLC, KEN CARRAWAY DISTRIBUTION AFFILIATIONS

Ryan Williams-Jent MANAGING EDITOR Ryan@WatermarkOutNews.com

EDITOR’S DESK

Marsha Was Here

ILEFT TWITTER NOT LONG AFTER

Watermark Out News did in 2023, a response to the Elon era’s choice to allow the targeted misgendering and deadnaming of trans users. J.K. Rowling was thrilled, I’m sure.

It wasn’t a difficult decision for me. I’d joined the platform in 2009, but in reality it was mostly to interact with celebrities from my favorite fandoms.

“Star Trek’s” Gates McFadden and I once had a lengthy back and forth about her character — Dr. Crusher, if you’re nerdy — and “Star Wars” legend Mark Hamill liked my tribute to the late Carrie Fisher. May the force be with her, always.

As Twitter continued to devolve, not only into a single letter but into a particularly loathsome hive of scum and villainy, I knew I’d made the right choice. But even before Musk waded into presidential politics to endorse his favorite felon, I didn’t care much for the general targeting of Teslas.

I remember the first time I saw a report that someone had spraypainted “F--K ELON” onto one, something that’s become so commonplace I can’t find the article anymore. I thought it was gross.

Not because I’ve ever wanted a Tesla, which to be clear isn’t in my budget anyway, or because I have even an ounce of empathy for Elon Musk. It’s because I have empathy for everyday people — some of whom, yes, can afford to buy a Tesla.

I’m able to recognize that most folks who have one likely didn’t buy their car (or worse, Cybertruck) just to support Musk. I don’t buy Apple products to support Tim Cook, after all, or look forward

to a Disney World trip to support Bob Iger.

Does that absolve Tesla drivers of lining his pockets? No, but spray painting some random person’s vehicle just makes you a jerk.

So does attacking transgender Americans for just existing, of course, something we’ve seen from Musk and Trump at every turn. I understand every frustration with the two and share in them, just not to the point of vandalism.

Or so I thought.

Watermark Out News

Publisher Rick Todd and Sales Director Danny Garcia attended a conference this month in New York, not just to make me jealous but to keep strengthening how we serve our community. They didn’t vandalize anything, to be clear, but someone did.

Their trip included a visit to the Stonewall National Monument and Visitor Center, which commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Riot, and they sent us a few photos to share with readers.

I admit I was thrilled to see “MARSHA WAS HERE” spraypainted on the Stonewall National Monument’s sign, just under the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service logo. Someone also affixed two heart-shaped, trans-colored stickers with the letter “T” to it, and added “SYLVIA WILL ALWAYS BE HERE” to a photo of the trans pioneer that hangs along a nearby fence.

You can view her photo at the National Park Service’s virtual exhibit, but it says it’s on display to “tell the story of the LGB rights movement.” That’s because the Trump administration scrubbed the

“T” from the federal website in February, literal trans erasure. LGBTQ+ activist Marsha P. Johnson was here, and so was Sylvia Rivera, and if it weren’t for trans pioneers like them so many of us wouldn’t be. I still don’t encourage vandalism, but every single one of us should remember that, now more than ever.

Not to be outdone, Florida has continued targeting our trans siblings as well. In this

I understand every frustration … just not to the point of vandalism. Or so I thought.

issue we detail the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ anti-trans ID policies and speak with local advocates and allies about how we can all work to make a difference for our community.

In State News, a transgender protester is arrested for washing her hands in the women’s restroom during Pride at the Capitol. Locally, Largo officials stand with the city’s public library after a conservative lawmaker targets its LGBTQ+ content. We also check in with Winter Pride, which has officially become its own nonprofit after February’s inaugural celebration, and get groovy with American Stage in the Park’s “Hair.”

Watermark Out News is proud to be your LGBTQ+ news source. Please stay informed, support those who support you and enjoy this latest issue.

CHRISTIAN HOTCHKISS is a Florida native raised in Tampa Bay. He performs in drag as Christina Moore and is the president of the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County. Page 15

DEBORAH BOSTOCK -KELLEY reviews theatre for Broadway World and other outlets and runs The WriteOne Creative Services. Page 19

HOLLY KAPHERR ALEJOS, SABRINA AMBRA, STEVE BLANCHARD, DEBORAH BOSTOCK-KELLEY, JOHNNY BOYKINS, MARTIN “LEIGH SHANNON” FUGATE, BIANCA GOOLSBY, JAKOB HERO-SHAW, LORA KORPAR, JASON LECLERC, JERICK MEDIAVILLA, MELODY MAIA MONET, TATIANA QUIROGA, TIFFANY RAZZANO, SISTER JUANA REACTION, MOMMA ASHLEY ROSE, TREVOR ROSINE, BRYANA SALDANA, GREG STEMM, SYLVIE TREVENA, MICHAEL WANZIE, MULAN WILLIAMS, DR. STEVE YACOVELLI

BRIAN BECNEL, NICK CARDELLO, J.D. CASTO, BRUCE HARDIN, JAMARCUS MOSLEY, DYLAN TODD, CHRIS STEPHENSON, LEE VANDERGRIFT PHOTOGRAPHY

ENTERPRISES LLC, KEN CARRAWAY DISTRIBUTION AFFILIATIONS

ORANGE COUNTY INCREASES HOPE & HELP’S HOUSING FUNDS

Christopher Klimek

ORLANDO | Orange County Commissioners unanimously passed an expansion of their contract with the Hope & Help Center of Central Florida March 25 which will allow more housing opportunities and services for those living with HIV and AIDS.

The amendment was introduced by District 6 Commissioner Mayra Uribe and will increase the budget by $400,000, bringing the overall contract amount to $1.024 million. This propelled budget will go towards a more cost-effective housing market with tenant-based housing assistance as well as a greater field of services for short-term rent/utility and mortgage assistance, permanent housing placement and short-term housing assistance. The funding for this program is coming from the City of Orlando Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

HOPWA is a federal program which addresses the housing opportunities and needs of low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS. HOPWA works to provide services to those with HIV who “have an income at or below 80% of the area median income,” per the Orange County Government website.

Watermark Out News contacted Help & Help for comment on the funding increase but did not hear back by press time.

In September 2023, Orange County Commissioners authorized a contract amount of $589,025 to the Hope & Help Center of Central Florida. Additional funding for this program was used to “expand services to assist 50 households for the grant period through September 30, 2025,” according to the Orange County Commissioners website. With the end of this bill, the Hope & Help Center will provide more services to the HIV/AIDS community due to the new and updated contract amount of the new amendment.

On a national scale, the current administration has been open about cutting funds for HIV/AIDS care. Arianne Keegan, Director of Communications at Legal Action Center, a nonprofit organization based in New York which tackles discrimination and provides opportunities for people with HIV or AIDS, arrest records or substance use disorders, believes it to be crucial for local policymakers to stand against these nationwide policies.

“Cutting the HIV Prevention Division at the CDC would not only undermine our nation’s ability to respond effectively to outbreaks of all communicable diseases and significantly impact ongoing prevention efforts in communities most vulnerable to HIV, but it would also risk a resurgence of this preventable disease, which would result in unnecessary illness and cost taxpayers millions of dollars in medical care,” Keegan said.

Read more about HOPWA and their services at OrangeCountyfl.net.

central florida news

TO THE STREETS: Members of Central Florida’s Queers for Palestine marching in Orlando. PHOTO COURTESY OF QUEERS FOR PALESTINE

Arab & Queer

Queers for Palestine fight for acceptance in LGBTQ+ community

Zaira Campos

ORLANDO | In October 2023, a group of queer activists came together for their first action in Central Florida. By December of the same year, Queers for Palestine was officially established, built on the foundation of solidarity, mutual aid and a shared vision for a liberated Palestine.

While Queers for Palestine focuses heavily on direct action through protests, education and fundraising, their efforts extend beyond that. The group believes that true liberation cannot happen without mutual aid and collaborative efforts.

“Direct action is strengthened with the practices of mutual aid and vice versa,” Lamia Moukaddam explains. “It’s about more than just responding to crises; it’s about building sustainable systems of support and solidarity.”

The group has partnered with local organizations like the Neighborhood Fridge located at Masjid al-Quddus to provide culturally aware meal prep

ingredients during Ramadan and with Blue Trunk Community Network to establish an edible garden at an Islamic school. The garden was created in honor of martyr Yousef Abu-Rabea, who had begun a food sovereignty initiative in the north of Gaza.

“We just see the interconnectedness of our struggles and we make sure to support our community too,” Moukaddam says.

As a queer-led movement, Queers for Palestine faces unique challenges.

“There is the anti-Arab and Islamophobic rhetoric that’s being spoken to us by our own queer community locally,” Moukaddam says. “We’ve got queerphobia constantly in our DMs, comments and to our faces from Zionists, and frankly, also the queerphobia that exists within our community.”

The group emphasizes that their work is also about creating a space where queer and trans Arabs can feel welcomed and valued — something that didn’t exist before in their community.

“What spaces do we have in the queer community that is open and

welcoming to the queer and trans Arab experience? And what spaces do we have in the Arab community that values queer and trans Arabs? And that’s become Central Florida Queers for Palestine,” Moukaddam says.

The misunderstandings and bigotry the group faces often stem from conditioned Islamophobia and a refusal to recognize the existence of queer and trans Arabs.

“We get really wild comments,” Moukaddam admits. “There’s this weird manner of functioning as though Arabs can’t be both queer and Arab.”

For Queers for Palestine, solidarity extends beyond just protesting or organizing events. It’s about aligning movements, supporting each other’s struggles and understanding that their fight for liberation is intertwined with the struggles of others.

“Palestine is really just a start and exposing a lot of things,” Moukaddam says. “We reach liberation together a lot quicker.”

The future the group envisions is one where they are welcomed and embraced by both the queer and Arab communities.

“A future where we struggle together and not in silos, that’s how we win,” Moukaddam says.

April is National Arb American Heritage Month. You can find information on upcoming local events and follow Central Florida’s Queers for Palestine on Instagram @ cflqueersforpalestine.

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WINTER PRIDE BECOMES NONPROFIT

Ryan Williams-Jent

ST. PETERSBURG | Winter Pride, which held its first celebration Feb. 16-23 with The Grand Central District, has officially become its own nonprofit.

The inaugural event was conceptualized by an eight-person planning committee led by Executive Director Rob Hall. Organizers estimate that over 57,000 people attended this year’s festivities.

Winter Pride announced their nonprofit status via social media March 28, thanking supporters and calling it “a huge step … in furthering our mission to celebrate, educate, commemorate and inspire.” Hall confirms they officially became a 501(c)(3) organization on that date.

“Becoming a nonprofit was a critical milestone for Winter Pride, aligning our mission with a structure that ensures long-term sustainability, community impact and public trust,” he says. “It strengthens our ability to build trust, deepen relationships and invite ongoing support from individuals, businesses, and institutions who share our values. It also expands our access to grants and sponsorships … making it possible to grow and sustain our work meaningfully.”

Hall says a key part of that work is giving back to others, evident during Winter Pride’s 2025 Drag Race. While raising funds for nonprofits, teams of “drag sisters” competed in boxcars for the chance to win a $5,000 donation from Winter Pride to the charity of their choice.

In addition to $453 raised by this year’s winning team, the grand prize went to Southern Legal Counsel. Participants also raised funds for the Tampa Bay Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Equality Florida, Come OUT St. Pete, the Florida Harm Reduction Collective and Metro Inclusive Health.

“Winter Pride was built on the belief that celebration should go hand-in-hand with impact,” Hall says. “… Giving back is not an afterthought for us — it’s part of the plan. It’s how we show appreciation to the community that supports us, and we intend to do this every year.”

The nonprofit’s board currently consists of original organizers and supporters, Hall says, and planning for next year’s event is already underway. It’s set for Feb. 15-22, 2026.

Before then, St Pete Pride will return to the region for its 23rd outing. Signature events begin next month and culminate on the final weekend of June.

“We’re proud to complement the incredible work of St Pete Pride and fully support their organization and the powerful impact they have on our community,” Hall says. “Our goal is to build on that momentum and help position St. Petersburg as a true year-round destination for LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies.

“At the same time, we recognize that we’re living in a moment where LGBTQIA+ rights are under attack across the country,” he continues. “That makes the work we do — and the visibility we bring — even more important.”

For more information about Winter Pride, visit WinterPrideSaintPete.com.

tampa bay news

Reading Rainbow

Largo stands by LGBTQ+ content

Ryan Williams-Jent and Shyler Oras

LARGO, FLA. | Mayor

Woody Brown, the city commission and local residents are standing by the Largo Public Library after state Rep. Berny Jacques targeted its LGBTQ+ content.

Jacques, a Republican representing Florida House District 59, sent a letter to officials March 22 calling LGBTQ+ materials “indoctrination.” He advised they are “promoting radical gender and sexual ideology to children.” He further noted he will “not support any state funding for the Largo Public Library” and that “my support of any future state appropriations to the City of Largo will be conditioned on the complete removal of sexual identity materials, displays, and programming from the library’s children section.”

The LGBTQ+ content includes pamphlets for young adult fiction and a Progress Pride flag. The mayor formally responded March 27, a letter the representative shared via social media March 28. He criticized Brown’s response

as a “COMPLETE DENIAL OF WRONGDOING.”

“The City of Largo takes seriously its responsibility to provide a library that serves as a trusted resource for all residents,” Brown wrote. “I have personally reviewed this matter with City administration and library staff to ensure that our policies and practices align with our mission of serving the community in a responsible and age-appropriate manner.”

He advises that the materials were located in the teen room, “where parents retain full discretion over their children’s access.” He also noted that officials “respect the vital role of parents in guiding their children’s experiences and remain committed to supporting parental involvement while upholding our responsibility to ensure our public institutions serve all members of the community.”

Brown also noted he has “requested that our staff work alongside our Library Advocacy Board to evaluate our existing practices and report back with any proposed changes to the library’s policies and procedures.”

Jacques also shared his response via social media, noting

“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!” The representative formally requested “production of the Largo Public Library’s ‘comprehensive materials selection policy’” and records going back two years that mention his name, “sexual ideology,” “LGBT materials,” any variation of DEI and more.

PFLAG Safety Harbor was among local LGBTQ+ advocates who celebrated “the remarkable efforts of Mayor Woody Brown and the Largo City Commission,” voicing their support at the Largo City Commission Meeting April 1.

“All parents should have the right to introduce their children to the real world, not just a filtered version dictated by politicians’ personal values of politicians’ use of children as pawns for their campaigns,” President Wendy Vernon shared. “Parents should have the right to resources that allow their children to engage with different cultures, histories and perspectives so they grow into passionate and informed individuals who can think critically.”

Speakers also included a 14-year-old resident. “Mayor Brown, thank you for standing up to Representative Jacques because I think the library is perfect just the way it is,” they shared, drawing applause from those in attendance.

For more information about the Largo City Commission and library, visit Largo.com and LargoPublicLibrary.com.

LARGO LOVE: The City of Largo marches in the 2024 St Pete Pride parade. WATERMARK OUT NEWS FILE PHOTO

TRANS PROTESTER ARRESTED FOR WASHING HANDS IN WOMEN’S RESTROOM

Jeremy Williams

TALLAHASSEE | A transgender woman was arrested by Capitol Police in Tallahassee March 19 after she went into a women’s restroom to wash her hands.

According to the Miami Herald, Marcy Rheintgen, a 20-year-old Illinois resident, was arrested and charged with trespassing by two officers who had been waiting outside of a public restroom which Rheintgen had stated in a letter that she would be using in protest of Florida’s Facility Requirements Based on Sex law, which was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May 2023.

The law bans trans Floridians from using shared restrooms that align with their gender identity in publicly owned or leased buildings like airports, convention centers, government facilities — like the state Capitol

building, some stadiums, schools and universities.

Rheintgen sent the letter to Florida lawmakers ahead of her visit warning them that she was going to use that particular restroom at the state Capitol building March 19. Rheintgen included a photo of herself with the letter so they could identify her.

“I know that you know in your heart that this law is wrong and unjust,” Rheintgen said in her letter according to the Miami Hearld. “I know that you know in your heart that transgender people are human too, and you can’t arrest us away. ... I know that you know that I have dignity. That’s why I know that you won’t arrest me.”

Rheintgen was arrested and released about 24 hours later. The trespass charge is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail.

The arrest came during Equality Florida’s Pride at the Capitol event, which saw LGBTQ+ rights activists from across the state and country visit Tallahassee to speak with lawmakers about laws impacting the LGBTQ+ community.

Equality Florida’s executive director, Nadine Smith, issued a statement April 1, stating that Rheintgen’s arrest was “not about safety,” but “about cruelty, humiliation, and the deliberate erosion of human dignity.”

“Transgender people have been using restrooms aligned with their gender for generations without incident. What’s changed is not their presence — it’s a wave of laws designed to intimidate them out of public life,” Smith said.

Smith goes on to say that policing bodies and identities is “absurd and dangerous.”

“Many transgender people continue to use public restrooms

that match their gender without issue because most people understand what this law refuses to admit: transgender people are simply human beings living their lives, not threats,” Smith said. “The true goal is intimidation. If you can’t safely or legally use a restroom, your time in any public space is limited. That’s the point. These laws don’t protect anyone; they push transgender people out of everyday life, shrinking their freedom and making them vulnerable to harassment and arrest.”

Equality Florida states they were not aware of Rheintgen’s protest beforehand, however the organization said it “aligns with the long tradition of civil disobedience.”

“[T]he intentional breaking of an unjust law, done publicly and deliberately without causing harm, to expose its cruelty,” Smith stated. “She wrote lawmakers, identified herself, and made it

clear that this was a protest, not a threat.

“We’ve seen laws like this before,” Smith continued. “Whether it was denying access to lunch counters, water fountains, or restrooms, the goal was always the same: to diminish a group’s humanity and license public cruelty. That strategy failed then, and it will fail again because people are standing up, telling the truth, and refusing to be erased.”

Speaking with the Miami Herald, Rheintgen said that she regrets her experience, adding that she didn’t think that she would actually be arrested.

“Everything that is politics seems very abstract and philosophical from far away,” Rheintgen said to the Herald. “This is the first time it’s really affected me. I got arrested and I got sent to jail because of Gov. DeSantis’ policies — like that’s crazy, that’s crazy!”

UTAH 1ST STATE TO BAN LGBTQ+ PRIDE FLAGS

Wire Report

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) | Utah became the first state to prohibit flying LGBTQ+ pride flags at schools and all government buildings after the Republican governor announced he was allowing a ban on unsanctioned flag displays to become law without his signature.

Gov. Spencer Cox said March 27 he continues to have serious concerns with the policy but chose not to reject it because his veto would likely be overridden by the Republican-controlled Legislature.

Starting May 7, state or local government buildings will be fined $500 a day for flying any flag other than the U.S. flag, the Utah state flag, military flags or a short list of others approved by lawmakers.

The new law could stoke conflict between the state and its largest city. City buildings in liberal Salt Lake City typically honor Pride Month each June by displaying flags that celebrate its large LGBTQ+ population. Local leaders have illuminated the Salt Lake City

and County Building in rainbow lights to protest the flag ban each night since the Legislature sent it to Cox’s desk.

Andrew Wittenberg, a spokesperson for Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s office, said their attorneys are evaluating the law and the capital city does not yet have information on what it will do once the law takes effect.

The bill’s Republican sponsors, Rep. Trevor Lee and Sen. Dan McCay, said it’s meant to encourage “political neutrality” from teachers and other government employees. Opponents argued it aims to erase LGBTQ+ expression and take authority away from cities and towns that don’t align politically with the Republican Legislature.

In a letter to legislative leaders explaining his decision, Cox said he agreed with the “underlying intent” of the bill to make classrooms politically neutral but thought it went too far in regulating local governments. He also noted that by focusing narrowly on flags, the law does not prevent other political displays such as posters or lighting.

“To our LGBTQ community, I know that recent legislation has been difficult,” Cox said. “Politics can be a bit of a blood sport at times and I know we’ve had our disagreements. I want you to know that I love and appreciate you and I am grateful that you are part of our state. I know these words may ring hollow to many of you, but please know that I mean them sincerely.”

Cox’s decision came hours after the Sundance Film Festival announced it was leaving its home of four decades in Park City, Utah, for Boulder, Colorado. The flag bill created eleventh-hour tensions as some residents worried it would push the nation’s premier independent film festival out of state. Festival leaders said state politics ultimately did not influence their move from conservative Utah to liberal Colorado.

Other flags permitted under the Utah law include Olympic and Paralympic flags, official college or university flags, tribal flags and historic versions of other approved flags that might be used for educational purposes.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO RECRIMINALIZES HOMOSEXUALITY

Michael

K.

Lavers

of The Washington Blade, Courtesy of The National LGBT Media Association

An appeals court in Trinidad and Tobago has recriminalized consensual same-sex sexual relations in the country.

Jason Jones, an LGBTQ+ activist from Trinidad and Tobago who currently lives in the U.K., in 2017 challenged Sections 13 and 16 of the country’s Sexual Offenses Act. High Court Justice Devindra Rampersad the following year found them unconstitutional.

The country’s government appealed Rampersad’s ruling.

Court of Appeal Justices Nolan Bereaux and Charmaine Pemberton overturned it on March 25. The Daily Express newspaper reported Justice Vasheist Kokaram dissented.

“As an LGBTQ+ citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, this regressive judgement has ripped up my contract as a citizen of T&T and again makes me an unapprehended criminal in the eyes of the law,” said Jones. “The TT Court of Appeal has effectively put a target on the back of LGBTQIA+ people and made us lower class citizens in our own country.”

Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, and Dominica are among the countries that have decriminalized consensual same-sex sexual relations in recent years.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in 2021 issued a decision that said Jamaica must

repeal its colonial-era sodomy law. The Jamaican Supreme Court in 2023 ruled against a gay man who challenged it.

A judge on St. Vincent and the Grenadines’s top court last year dismissed two cases that challenged the country’s sodomy laws.

Jones in his statement said he “will be exercising my right of appeal and taking this matter to the” Privy Council, an appellate court for British territories that can also consider cases from Commonwealth countries.

King Charles III is not Trinidad and Tobago’s head of the state, but the country remains part of the Commonwealth.

“I hope justice will be done and these heinous discriminatory laws, a legacy of British colonialism, will be removed by the British courts,” said Jones.

IN OTHER NEWS

USCIS ONLY RECOGNIZES ‘TWO BIOLOGICAL SEXES’

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced April 2 it now only “recognizes two biological sexes, male and female.” A press release notes this change to its policies is “consistent with” the executive order that President Donald Trump signed shortly after he took office Jan. 20. The press release notes USCIS “considers a person’s sex as that which is generally evidenced on the birth certificate issued at or nearest to the time of birth,” which Immigration Equality Law and Policy Director Bridget Crawford called “a cruel and unnecessary policy that puts transgender, nonbinary, and intersex immigrants in danger.”

TRUMP CANCELS LGBTQ+ HEALTH GRANTS

A surge of grant cancellations has hit researchers focused on the health of LGBTQ+ people as the Trump administration continues to target what it describes as ideologically driven science. The U.S. government terminated at least 68 grants to 46 institutions totaling nearly $40 million when awarded, according to a government website. Most were in some way related to sexual minorities, including research focused on HIV prevention. Other canceled studies centered on cancer, youth suicide and bone health. Termination letters said that the research was “unscientific” or did “nothing to enhance the health of many Americans.”

DENMARK ISSUES US TRAVEL ADVISORY

The Danish foreign ministry has changed its U.S. travel advisory for transgender people, following other European countries such as Germany and Finland who suggest they may face difficulties when trying to enter the U.S. The Nordic country shared transgender people should contact the U.S. Embassy before traveling as the country only offers “two gender designations to choose from: male or female.” They noted if “you have the gender designation X in your passport, or you have changed your gender, it is recommended that you contact the U.S. Embassy prior to travel for guidance on how to proceed.”

ANTI-LGBTQ+ DISCRIMINATION COSTS AFRICAN COUNTRIES

Four East African countries are losing more than $5 billion a year because of discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. Open for Business, a coalition of leading global organizations that champion LGBTQ+ inclusion, has released a report focusing on Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. It attributes the losses to anti-homosexuality laws and predicts more economic costs if lawmakers implement other anti-LGBTQ+ measures. Uganda is losing $2.4 billion, or 5.2% of its GDP; Kenya is losing $1.5 billion, or 1.38% of its GDP. Tanzania is losing $1.1 billion, or 1.33% of its GDP and Rwanda is losing $45 million, or .32% of its GDP.

Christian

Hotchkiss, Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County President

SPEAKING OUT

An open letter to my fellow white, cis, gay men

IN RECENT YEARS, THE

LGBTQIA+ movement has made significant strides. Marriage equality has become a reality in many parts of the world, trans rights have gained recognition and queer individuals are more visible than ever before. However, there’s still a huge gap in our overall pursuit of true equality — one that severely affects queer-presenting members of our community.

These are people whose gender expression challenges societal norms, whose identities defy the mainstream narrative of what it means to be gay, and who often bear the brunt of the world’s scorn and oppression.

The issue we’re facing is a troubling trend of complacency among white cisgender gay men, who, despite our own struggles for rights, often fail to extend our advocacy to the more marginalized,

queer-presenting members of our community. For many of us, the fight for basic human rights may seem to be over. But for queer-presenting people — those who don’t fit the stereotypical or palatable image of a gay person — the struggle is far from over.

This is where the call for action becomes urgent. We must step out of our comfort zones and use our privilege to advocate for those who are not afforded the same societal protections.

Why This Matters:

A dangerous and persistent myth continues to circulate: that the LGBTQIA+ rights movement is primarily a “gay man’s issue.” For too long, the narrative of LGBTQIA+ rights has been dominated by white, cisgender, often wealthy gay men. As a result, the unique challenges faced by lesbian, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary and queer-presenting individuals have been sidelined, and the intersections of race, class and gender expression have been overlooked.

Queer-presenting people, people who embrace gender nonconformity or defy mainstream expectations of gender expression, often face the worst discrimination. Trans women of color, gender nonconforming individuals and those with more visible queer traits are at higher risk for violence, harassment and systemic oppression. They’re less likely to find safe employment, healthcare or legal protection. Yet, despite

viewpoint

these disproportionate challenges, their voices are often silenced by those of us who benefit from a more socially acceptable form of queerness.

White, cis, gay men, those of us in our community who have historically been the face of the movement, must

acknowledge that queerness intersects with race, gender and socioeconomic status. White, cis, gay men must understand that our struggles are part of a broader fight and that advocating for justice means fighting against all forms of oppression.

3. Support trans and

speak out and advocate for queer-presenting individuals whose needs are still largely overlooked.

This is not merely about expanding the scope of our activism; it’s about survival. Queer-presenting individuals face violence, legal challenges and systemic oppression

We must step out of our comfort zones and use our privilege to advocate for those who are not afforded the same societal protections.

recognize the privilege we hold. While we fight for our own rights and recognition, the work remains unfinished for many others under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella. It’s time for us to shift our focus and make room for those most marginalized.

What Needs to Change:

The path forward isn’t one of passive allyship but of active solidarity. White, cis, gay men need to:

1. Use our privilege for advocacy. In spaces where we’re more accepted — whether in the workplace, politics or media — we must leverage our influence to amplify the voices of marginalized queer people. Rather than dominating the conversation, we need to create opportunities for others to speak.

2. Recognize the intersectionality of oppression. Supporting LGBTQIA+ rights isn’t enough on its own. A truly inclusive movement must

gender-nonconforming individuals. This is especially crucial in light of the rising tide of anti-trans sentiment, particularly in regions like the U.S. White, cis, gay men must be outspoken allies, challenging transphobia and gender-normative expectations within our own communities.

4. Confront internal biases. Even within the LGBTQIA+ community, biases can persist. White, cis, gay men must examine and dismantle our own prejudices, including transphobia, racism and fatphobia. The work of equity and inclusion must start within our community itself.

The Time for Action is Now:

While significant progress has been made, the fight is far from over. True justice for all LGBTQIA+ individuals can’t be achieved without addressing the disparities within our own ranks. It’s time for us white, cis, gay men to step forward,

that are too often invisible to mainstream LGBTQIA+ activists. Now’s the time for white, cis, gay men to look beyond our own struggle and join the fight for a truly inclusive community — one where everyone, regardless of how they present or identify, can live freely and without fear.

The strength of our movement will only be realized when we fight not only for our own rights but for the rights of all those who remain vulnerable and unheard within our community. Don’t allow complacency to hinder progress. Step up and join me in the fight for true equality.

Christian Hotchkiss is a Florida native raised in Tampa Bay. He performs in drag as Christina Moore and is the president of the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County. Learn more at StonewallPinellas.com.

Zaira Campos

THE GOOD PAGE FEATURES

positive LGBTQ+ news in Central Florida and Tampa Bay, uplifting and inspiring stories highlighting locals in our community. In this issue, we learn about the social group known as The BLOC.

Raven Iman Davis and her friend Antea Birchett created a space they had been longing for — a place where Black queer women could feel seen, heard and supported. Black Lesbians of Orlando & Central Florida, also known as The BLOC, started from a simple desire to find community and has since blossomed into a thriving network of more than 900 members.

The journey began in 2019 when Davis, newly divorced and trying to find her way in Orlando’s queer scene, found herself frustrated by the lack of welcoming spaces for Black queer women.

“I grew up in a really religious, conservative environment, so when I finally stepped into my truth, I was ready to be free and find my people,” Davis explains. “But when I went out, it was just ...

The Good Page

The BLOC: Where Black lesbians find community, healing and joy

I can show up well and not just recreate the same harms?”

you when you need it, that’s what matters.”

white gay men or events that didn’t feel like they were for us.”

One night, Davis and Birchett were hanging out, sharing their frustrations about how there were no spaces that genuinely felt like home. That conversation led to the birth of The BLOC.

What started as a Facebook group quickly evolved into something much more — a dynamic network connecting Black queer women across Central Florida.

Creating community, however, is not without its challenges. Davis speaks candidly about her efforts to decolonize her understanding of leadership and community building.

“I’ve always struggled with not wanting to recreate the same colonized systems we exist in,” she says. “How do I decolonize my own mindset so

Davis’ approach is rooted in social justice, conflict resolution and care. The BLOC does not promise a “safe space” because safety is subjective. Instead, they strive to create a working space grounded in accountability, consent and care.

“We’ve developed grievance processes, zero-tolerance policies around abuse and community agreements that we regularly revisit,” Davis explains. “It’s about keeping the space nourishing, not just nice.”

The BLOC’s impact extends far beyond organized events. It’s the little things — like airport rides, finding babysitters or even just having someone to text at 3 a.m. when anxiety hits — that make this community special.

“You don’t always have to show up to events to be part of the BLOC,” Davis emphasizes. “Just knowing there’s a network of people who will show up for

Events like the Blackity Black Kickback are highlights of The BLOC’s journey.

“That was one of my favorite events,” Davis recalls. “We had vendors in my backyard, food, drinks, body paint, henna, live music, poetry and just a beautiful mix of everything.”

But the work goes beyond gatherings. The BLOC is about building infrastructure for Black queer women to thrive, whether that’s through social connections, creative outlets or emotional support.

For Davis, The BLOC is as much about her own growth as it is about the community’s.

“Leading this space has taught me how to advocate for myself and others, how to ask for help, how to say no and how to stand on what I believe in even when it’s uncomfortable,” she says.

Looking to the future, Davis hopes to see The BLOC evolve into a nonprofit

providing healing retreats, political education, emergency funds, art residencies, workshops and more.

“I want The BLOC to be a lighthouse — not just for Orlando, but for Black lesbians everywhere,” she says. “Community doesn’t just happen, it’s built. It’s messy. It’s sacred. Our ancestors did it by coming together, by creating a vision for a future where they could thrive. Now it’s our turn.”

For Davis, The BLOC is a testament to what happens when people come together to create something new, something radical, something that truly belongs to them.

Interested in being featured in The Good Page? Email Editor-in-Chief Jeremy Williams at Jeremy@WatermarkOutNews.com in Central Florida or Managing Editor Ryan Williams-Jent at Ryan@ WatermarkOutNews.com in Tampa Bay.

PHOTOS COURTESY THE BLOC

License and Presentation

THE FIGHT AGAINST ANTI-TRANS ID POLICIES ANDTHE POWER OF ALLYSHIP

Deborah Bostock-Kelley

IMAGINE RECEIVING A LETTER FROM

the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles that mandates the gender marker on your driver’s license return to your gender assigned at birth.

In an instant, this policy not only negates your lived experience but also exposes you to discrimination, harassment and potential violence. The Smiths, a married cisgender woman and transgender man in Tampa Bay who have asked to remain anonymous for their safety and to avoid political retaliation, faced this harsh reality in March. His driver’s license was invalidated and he was issued a new one with a female gender marker.

FLHSMV cited Florida Statutes which read that “the term ‘sex’ does

not refer to a person’s internal sense of his or her gender role or identity but is determined by innate and immutable biological and genetic characteristics.”

“There is no legal authority to change the licensee’s sex identifier to anything other than the licensee’s sex,” letters from the department read. They also note that drivers “are still permitted to operate a motor vehicle” because a “valid replacement license with the proper sex identifier is provided herein.”

“There’s so much we still don’t know and are trying to unpack,” explains Mrs. Smith. “My husband, when we changed his passport and driver’s license, we were able to change our bank account identification, insurance card and medical charts with his driver’s license. Now, none of that matches his physical identification.”

The Smiths worked with Southern Legal Counsel — which provides legal representation in civil legal matters such as education advocacy, disability issues and LGBTQ+ equality — on updating his gender marker. They say the ramifications of Florida’s actions are staggering.

Simone Chriss, Esq., Director of Transgender Rights Initiative at Southern Legal Counsel, assisted Mr. Smith with amending his documents before he received his letter. She explains that the organization is currently working

on a federal lawsuit challenging Florida’s ban on changing gender markers on birth certificates, which is impacting the driver’s license issue.

For transgender individuals, accurate gender markers are not just a matter of preference — they are a matter of safety and dignity.

A driver’s license is required for countless daily activities, from securing employment to accessing healthcare.

When the gender marker on an ID does not align with a person’s gender identity, it can result in invasive questioning, denial of services and even physical harm.

The ability to have identification that reflects one’s gender identity is essential for navigating daily life without fear.

“At this time, there isn’t a specific lawsuit being brought to challenge the driver’s license ban on gender marker changes for

several reasons, one of which is the state didn’t actually go through any formal process to enact this cruel ban — there was no legislation or rulemaking that led to them changing their policy,” Chriss explains. “This is just something they did in the dark without any public notice, which makes it more difficult to challenge, and this is one of the insidious tactics that the state of Florida has used many times to hurt trans people, using political appointees to carry out discriminatory measures behind closed doors.

“There’s a recent case from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals,” Chriss continues, “which is the Court of Appeals over Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, that ruled that a similar ban in Alabama was constitutional, allowing a state to ban people from changing their

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PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

MAY 15, 16, 2025 AT 7:30 P.M. MAY 17, 2025 AT 2:30 P.M. OCT 3, 2025

GINGER MINJ DIVINE GRACE

gender markers on their licenses, so that makes a legal claim on that issue more difficult in our circuit.”

Mrs. Smith worries for her husband’s safety while driving.

“In the state of Florida, because there’s so much hate, to have your driver’s license not match how you present to the world feels dangerous,” she says. “It feels like you’re putting yourself at risk. People don’t know how to react when you present one way and your driver’s license says something different.”

She expresses her fears of her husband getting pulled over by police — if that officer has a preconceived notion or prejudice.

“They’re calling you sir, then look at your ID, and now there’s some bias,” she says.

Maia Monet, Transgender Resource Manager for the LGBT+ Center Orlando, elaborates.

“Imagine being stopped at 10 p.m. in the middle of nowhere by a police officer who walks up to your car, and then you have to give them your driver’s license,” she says. “Knowing that we live in a state where a police officer has tremendous amounts of power in Florida — where they are essentially de facto [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] agents now and where if they didn’t like something about you, they could have you arrested.

“You’d be placed in a jail where your rights as a transgender person would not be respected, where you would be housed with prisoners of your birth sex, where if something else were to happen and you were to end up in prison, you would not be able to receive gender-affirming care,” she continues. “They would essentially forcibly detransition you.”

The rollback of these rights sends a clear and harmful message, advocates say: that transgender identities are not valid or recognized. This kind of systemic erasure has severe psychological consequences, exacerbating gender dysphoria, anxiety, depression and suicide. A 2023 study from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law found that 81% of transgender adults in the U.S. have thought about suicide, 42% of transgender adults have attempted it and 56% have engaged in non-suicidal self-injury.

In Texas, legislators have gone so far as to propose making accurate

‘QUALITY

ASSURANCE EFFORTS’: A letter received by a transgender Floridian from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles last month. It included a reissued Florida driver’s license.

gender markers a punishable offense, meaning individuals could face criminal penalties simply for having IDs that reflect their true selves. These punitive measures do not just strip transgender individuals of their autonomy; they criminalize authenticity and existence itself.

“I think the goal is to dissuade people from transitioning. What the politicians don’t realize is that people who have finally come to a place of transitioning — this is saving their lives,” Mrs. Smith says. “This is literally life-saving healthcare. Many who aren’t afforded this journey die by suicide. Finding the proper care keeps them safe.”

Beyond the personal ramifications, such policies establish a dangerous precedent, signaling that the rights of transgender individuals can be revoked at any time. This undermines progress in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality and emboldens discrimination.

At its core, the issue is one of respect and recognition. Forcing transgender individuals to conform to an outdated and harmful

standard is not about public safety or administrative necessity — it is about the government’s goal for control and erasure.

Monet explains that the time to act was long before the gender markers were removed.

“The time to have fought this was three years ago. They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We’re now up to the pound of cure, and there’s no easy way to turn this back.

“It’s very important to have gender markers that match our gender presentation,” she continues. “Imagine a situation where you are confronted at the airport by TSA, who looks you up and down and sees a female gender marker, but you’re presenting male. Right away, you’re basically announcing to the world that you’re transgender to people who don’t really need to know it.”

In the face of these attacks, allyship is more critical than ever. Supporting LGBTQ+ rights is not a passive declaration of solidarity; it requires active engagement and advocacy.

and anti-discrimination protections, provides the necessary context for the fight for equality today.

Carol “Mama” Steen, a Tampa Bay Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence member who Watermark Out News readers named Tampa Bay’s Favorite Local Ally in this year’s WONDER Awards, believes allyship is an inherent quality. She says being there to let the LGBTQ+ community vent, scream and cry on your shoulder is being an ally.

“You may not be able to fix it, but at least you can be there to listen,” Steen says. “It’s important to know you have someone who will be there for you. You are not alone. Giving of yourself might help someone get through what they have to get through.”

Challenging discrimination is a fundamental responsibility of all allies, she says. Whether in the workplace, social settings, or legislative halls, addressing harmful, transphobic comments, policies and actions is crucial. Silence in the face of injustice allows harmful rhetoric to flourish. The rise of anti-trans legislation in Florida, including restrictions on gender-affirming care and limitations on LGBTQ+inclusive education, underscores the need for allies to speak out.

Education is the first step in meaningful allyship. Understanding identities, pronouns and lived experiences fosters respect and reduces harmful misconceptions.

Chriss states, “One of the most important things that I think allies and advocates and folks who care can be doing is really getting a grasp on what [Donald Trump’s anti-transgender] executive orders mean and what these different measures from the state government mean.

“Being able to give high-quality, accurate information to people who need it is crucial,” she continues. “Misinformation is dangerous, and the other side relies on misinformation and disinformation to try to scare people out of exercising their rights. Their goal is to push people out of the state, to push people away from transitioning or living authentically. Therefore, being empowered with knowledge and information and knowing our rights is one of the most effective tools for resistance.”

Learning about historical struggles, such as the Stonewall Riot and ongoing battles for healthcare

“As an ally, you’re putting yourself out there to support these people, and there might be people who don’t believe you should, and you have to fight that battle for them as well,” Steen says. “In the face of adversity, you have to find the strength to say ‘no, I don’t hear what you are saying. These people are fantastic.’

“You have to have open arms for the people you love so you can hug them. You have to have passion, understanding and ears that will listen,” she notes. “You have to be there to fight, whether they’re in the room with you or not. You have to find the strength within you, not just to be a bystander. You have to fight your fear because these are people that you love. You’re going to fight for them, regardless. I’ve been doing this for a long time because I believe in it. People are people and shouldn’t be brought down, no matter what.”

Monet agrees, “Call your representatives. Show up to rallies because we’re now trying to turn something back that could have been more easily prevented than reversed. One of the most simple things you can do is escort transgender people into bathrooms. Don’t let them be alone

PHOTO BY MAIA MONET

in sex-segregated spaces where they might be challenged.”

Supporting organizations that defend LGBTQ+ rights is an impactful way to contribute to the cause. Many nonprofits and grassroots groups work tirelessly to provide resources, combat discrimination and push for policy changes.

Florida Rep. Anna Eskamani explains that showing up for a vote or new policy matters in a macro view.

“On the micro level, what do you do every day for people who are navigating the repercussions? It’s our job to fight back against disinformation about the people who are at the brunt of it defending their existence,” she notes. “Showing up makes a big difference. Get involved with your local LGBTQ organizations.”

Volunteering, donating time and money to organizations being hit politically, thus financially, and participating in awareness campaigns help sustain these efforts. Attending events like St Pete Pride, Come Out with Pride and other celebrations demonstrates public support and helps build connections with the community.

Molly Robison, board member of St Pete Pride and another of Watermark Out News’ recently recognized allies, is a proud mother to a transgender man. She says, “As a middle-class white woman, there are rooms I’m accepted in, and my perspective and conversation are more easily heard. That’s one of the opportunities for me to stand in front of a group of people who maybe don’t understand the issues right now for the LGBTQIA community and what impact the legislation, the laws, and the rhetoric have on people just going about their daily life.”

Advocacy and voting are potent tools in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Staying informed about legislation that affects the community and using your voice at the ballot box can influence change. Supporting pro-equality candidates, contacting elected officials, using apps like 5 Calls, and participating in protests or petitions are all ways to take action.

Brittani Acuff, CEO of Crew Health and another Favorite Local Ally in Central Florida, says “we need to listen to the people affected to understand what they are going through and meet them where they

are. We need to be their voice. Being an ally is about standing next to someone and lifting them up.”

When asked about pressing issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community, Acuff says “the transgender community is just being who they are. They’re not hurting anyone. As allies, we must show people how great this community is … and show them that we’re not just there when there’s a camera.”

Creating and being a safe space is essential for fostering an inclusive society. Whether at home, work or in the community, ensuring that transgender individuals feel seen and respected can make a profound difference. This includes using inclusive language, respecting pronouns and actively addressing biases.

“I believe you start everything with a conversation,” says Acuff. “People aren’t going to change their minds unless they’re open to it. That’s the problem. We have a situation where people don’t want to listen, and that’s harmful. It’s our responsibility to show the trans community what great things they have done. They might try to erase you on paper, but you’re a person. As allies, we need to lift up the individuals. There are different levels of allyship. Someone might not feel comfortable standing on the front lines, but they can call and write letters or donate to causes.”

“The transgender community is scared,” adds Robison. “Their way of life and their families are being threatened. There are people out there who don’t understand that because it doesn’t directly affect them.

“It’s vital as an ally to say over and over — to the point where people get tired of you telling them — how important it is to pay attention right now. It’s so easy to tune out, but we really can’t,” she also notes. “Allies need to make sure that our friends who don’t have experiences with transgender and gender-expansive people get them. My son is a remarkable human being, but there’ll be people who say, ‘Trans people are so weird,’ not knowing who I am or who I’m going to stand up for. They can spend half an hour over coffee with my son and leave with an entirely different opinion.”

Listening and speaking out against homophobia and transphobia is a cornerstone of allyship. LGBTQ+ voices must be heard and amplified.

“When your relative ... says transphobic things, actually say something. Don’t just sit there quietly. Make yourself a no-transphobia zone, even when trans folks aren’t there,” stresses Monet. “Transphobia has become so socially accepted now out in public through our politicians and media. We need to make it clear in no uncertain terms that it is unacceptable. In 2025, we should not be fighting these fights that were first fought in 1975 and 1985. A lot of gay rights we have now were done on the backs of trans people.”

A key element of allyship is understanding the intersectionality of transgender experiences. Many transgender individuals face overlapping forms of discrimination based on race, socioeconomic status, disability or other characteristics. Addressing

hurtful. It doesn’t solve anything. It doesn’t impact their ability to drive. It is just another hard thing in a list of hard things, and you never know which straw will break the camel’s back. It’s a scary time to be any member of the LGBTQ community, particularly if you’re transgender and gender-expansive. We all have to stand with the community and be visible.”

Criss also has advice for those looking to act. “Remind people who don’t have updated identification documents that legal name changes are still legal and available,” she says. “Anybody can ensure that the correct name is on all of their identification documents. Keep supporting each other. Our community needs to bind together, as it has so many times in the past.”

these intersecting oppressions is essential for providing comprehensive support.

The Human Rights Campaign highlights that transgender women of color are disproportionately subjected to the highest rates of fatal violence. This epidemic of violence against transgender people underscores society’s devaluation of a community striving to live their lives.

Allyship and defending LGBTQ+, especially transgender rights, is not an isolated act — it is an ongoing commitment to justice, dignity and equality. As policies continue to threaten the security and autonomy of these individuals, allies must rise to meet the challenge.

Steen explains, “We support each other by fighting that battle alongside them. The community doesn’t feel like anyone is listening. They’re being thrown to the wayside. All their pronouns have been taken away. They’re not allowed to be who they are anymore. Little by little, they’re chipping away. They’re taking away everything that was fought so hard for.

“You have to go [to Tallahassee], talk, write, call, protest and march all over again,” she continues. “It’s the only way to do it and hope somebody takes it seriously, somebody listens, and somebody in power wants to help. We can’t have fear and back down. We can’t let these people win.”

Robison says, “It’s horrifically mean for the DMV to be doing this. I know several people who have received that letter, which is a gut punch to them and their families. It’s so petty, small-minded and

“We all need to support one another through the next few years while we bring all of these legal challenges to overturn these discriminatory, cruel, ridiculous policies and laws and restore a sense of decency and normalcy,” she adds. “I have no doubt that we will come out the other side of this, and people will have the ability to update their identification documents again, but it’s going to be a struggle.”

Robison says that a viral meme resonated with her recently, one that reads “If you aren’t being hit by the rocks being thrown at the marginalized community — the trans community — you aren’t standing close enough.”

“It’s easy to show support in a Facebook post,” she notes. “It’s another to stand with them in the face of a threat.” Robison and others are calling on our entire community to do so.

As for Southern Legal Counsel, the organization wants transgender Floridians who have received letters from the FLHSMV to contact Chriss at Simone.Chriss@ SouthernLegal.org.

They’re asked to advise which DMV or Tax Collector’s office they visited when they changed the gender marker, the date it was amended and what documentation was provided to support the change.

“As the state and federal government continue to target the rights and freedoms of transgender people, SLC will continue to stand up, fight back, and do whatever we can to hold them accountable for their indefensible actions,” they promise.

For more information about Southern Legal Counsel, visit SouthernLegal.org.

OFFERING COUNSEL: Southern Legal Counsel Director of Transgender Rights Simone Chriss at Come Out with Pride 2024. The advocate and her organization are fighting for trans Floridians. PHOTO FROM SOUTHERN LEGAL COUNSEL’S FACEBOOK

Dive In

The Florida Film Festival’s 34th outing to feature many LGBTQ+ films

Caysea Stone

LGBTQ+ ballroom community uses performance to advocate for queer and transgender rights in Florida politically.

“This is a place where we are celebrating these voices and uplifting these voices, and it is more important to do that today than it was six weeks ago and six years ago,” says Anderson. “These are really, really, really urgent and important things to be a part of right now for the purpose of being seen.”

Acclaimed actress and LGBTQ+ ally, Christina Ricci will join the festival April 13 to watch a screening of her 1995 coming-of-age film “Now and Then,” followed by a Q&A with the audience.

“Now and Then” follows the story of four life-long friends who come together as adults to reminisce about a memorable summer 25 years earlier. Ricci plays the younger version of Roberta, played as an adult by Rosie O’Donnell. This film also stars Demi Moore, Gaby Hoffmann, Melanie Griffith, Thora Birch, Rita Wilson and Ashleigh Aston Moore as the other adult friends and their younger versions.

This year’s big-name films are “On Swift Horses” and “The Wedding Banquet,” the latter of which is a remake of the 1993 film directed by Ang Lee. “The Wedding Banquet” gives the classic movie a fresh spin when a gay man marries his lesbian friend, starring Lily Gladstone and Bowen Yang.

“On Swift Horses” also features an all-star cast of Jacob Elordi, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Will Poulter, which shows the chaos after Julius, played by Elordi, stirs up expected emotions in his brother’s marriage. The film is produced by Christine Vachon, who’s responsible for other award-winning LGBTQ+ films like “I Shot Andy Warhol” and “Boys Don’t Cry.”

“Diciannove,” produced by “Call Me by Your Name” director Luca Guadagnino, is an Italian film that will be Giovanni Tortorici’s directing debut. The movie follows Leonardo, a college student who aimlessly wanders through life in search of something bigger than himself.

DIVING IN:

Attendees get ready to see a selection of the festival’s film trailers during a preview event at the Enzian Theater.

THE FLORIDA FILM FESTIVAL

returns with its 34th annual celebration of film. This year’s festival theme is “Dive in.”

PHOTO BY

CAYSEA STONE

After a record-breaking 2,921 film submissions from 119 countries, Programming Manager Tim Anderson and Programming Director Matthew Curtis, along with help from various screeners, narrowed the 10-day festival down to 185 films, comprising of 40 features and 137 shorts — with no shortage of queer representation. Nearly two dozen movies highlight LGBTQ+ stories across almost all categories, including narrative and documentary features, spotlight films and competition shorts.

Anderson and Curtis say among this year’s LGBTQ+ collection, two themes are prevalent in almost every film: body autonomy and family.

Both are represented in the full-length documentary “I’m Your Venus,” directed by Kimberly Reed.

“I’m Your Venus” is a 30-year follow-up to Jennie Livingston’s “Paris is Burning,” which followed New York City’s ballroom scene. In “Paris is Burning,” it is revealed that one of the film’s primary subjects, Venus Xtravaganza, was murdered. Reed’s follow-up shows Venus’ loved ones seeking answers about her 1988 murder as well as each family member — biological and ballroom — coming to terms with their relationship with the trans icon.

“¡Quba!” by Kim Anno is another full-length documentary showing at this year’s festival. The film features LGBTQ+ activists fighting for marriage equality in the Cuban constitution.

Similarly, “Shade in the Sunshine State” is a documentary short offering a glimpse into how Miami’s

Other documentary shorts — “Icebreakers” and “Institution” — expand on the banning of same-sex coupling in ice skating and the aftermath of the overturning of Roe v. Wade on same-sex marriages.

Narrative Features include “Sisters” by Susie Yankou and “Under the Burning Sun” by Yun Xie. “Sisters” is a quirky film following a bisexual singer-songwriter-standup comedienne as she learns she has a half-sibling. “Under the Burning Sun” has a more serious tone, showing the journey of Mowanza, a victim of rape resulting in a pregnancy, as she escapes from a dystopian future where abortion is outlawed.

In the Sunspots: New Visions of the Avante-Garde category, we have “Chimera” by Gael Jara and Martín André, which shows a nonbinary person witnessing the handover of the first nonbinary ID in Chile.

“‘Chimera’ couldn’t be more relevant if they made it yesterday,” says Anderson.

Competition, International and Florida shorts include “Witness,” “Dandelion,” “Sweet Talkin’ Guy,” “But He’s Gay,” “Cura Sana,” “Loveline” and “Rushmore.” These stories range from a trans woman’s experience with dating three straight men (“Sweet Talkin’ Guy”) to a 1970s rebellious teen’s relationship with a mysterious social worker after getting yet again tossed from another foster placement (“Dandelion”). The festival will also be the world premiere of Kyle Casey Chu’s short film “After What Happened at the Library,” which shows the aftermath of a drag queen being accosted by a mob after participating in Drag Queen Story Hour at a public library.

This year’s festival is also showing “Pretty Ugly: The Story of the Lunachicks.” The film shows how the all-female band blew up in the ‘90s due to their humor and unwavering pro-women ethos.

The Florida Film Festival holds the distinct honor of being one of only a handful that are Academy Award-qualifying in all three Oscar shorts categories: Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film and Documentary Short Subject; meaning any short film that is in competition that falls into any of the three categories and wins a grand jury prize is automatically eligible to be nominated for an Oscar the following year.

The 34th annual Florida Film Festival runs from April 11-20. For more information on the Florida Film Festival, a full list of films and to purchase tickets, visit FloridaFilmFestival.com.

| April 25 at 7:30 p.m.

| April 27 at 2 p.m.

By donating and supporting the arts together, you can make the most impact. Contributions designated to the United Arts Collaborative Campaign for the Arts partners listed here will be eligible to access a matching funds pool of up to $1,250,000 until April 30th. Give today!

Santuzza Audrey Babcock Santuzza Audrey Babcock

Turiddu Dominick

Turiddu Dominick

Beatrice Raphaella Medina Beatrice Raphaella Medina

Benedict Pedro Valdez Benedict Pedro Valdez

HALL

‘Hair’

Today, Gone Tomorrow?

American Stage presents ‘Hair’ as Park fundraising continues

Julia Ferrara

HOMETOWN

‘HAIR’-APY:

The cast of “Hair” at Demens Landing Park.

PHOTO BY CHAZ D. PHOTOGRAPHY

AMERICAN STAGE IS INVITING

audiences back to the 60s for “Hair,” elevating “the era of flower power, protests and free love” at Demens Landing Park through April 28.

The show premiered on Broadway in 1968. It highlights rebellious youth and “fun for fun’s sake” as a groovy love letter to counterculture, telling the story of the “tribe,” a group of politically active “hippies” living in New York City who are fighting against conscription into the Vietnam War.

Its themes of freedom, unity, protest and the cost of war are still relevant in today’s world, speaking to just how timeless the musical is.

“Some shows stay with you — they get under your skin and into your heart,” says Director Kenny Moten. “For me, ‘Hair’ is one of those musicals. I’ve loved it for years and have been fortunate enough to experience it from a few different angles.”

“Over the years, I’ve been part of several productions, and every time, I’m reminded that ‘Hair’ is more than just a show,” he continues. “It’s a call for connection and change. It’s a

reminder that the struggle for peace, love and understanding isn’t bound to one era — it’s a journey we’re all still on, together.”

“Hair” is American Stage’s 39th park show and coincides with its ongoing Save Park campaign. What began in 1986 with Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” has grown into a community staple.

Recent productions include “Ragtime,” “Footloose” and “Mamma Mia.” Last year’s “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” welcomed 15,000 people.

American Stage’s campaign has raised just over $400,000 of its $500,000 goal so far.

“The level of community support for our Save Park campaign has been immense, and truly heartening,” the company notes. “We are closing in on our $500,000 fundraising goal, which has enabled us to continue planning

“It’s an art where you can let yourself shine through even if it’s through a mask of something else, or someone else,” he says. “You really feel a difference when you’re in all of that. It sheds any anxiety and any insecurities you have and you’re just able to perform.”

our production for the 2025-2026 season! Join us to Save Park!”

“Park has continued to be the most popular and beloved program that we produce,” adds Director of Advancement Pamela Arbisi. “The memories made and the connections that happen when we sit under the stars and enjoy theatre together, are unique and priceless.”

As American Stage’s efforts continue, the company is also focused on making this year’s iteration of “Hair” a memorable addition to its Park catalogue.

“Through iconic songs like ‘Aquarius’ and ‘Let the Sunshine in,’ the cast voices their dreams for a more harmonious world, united through the universal languages of music, protest, and community,” American Stage has noted. It features Henry Hawes as Claude, EJ Dohring as Berger, Emma Rose Johnson as Sheila, Zoë Grolnick as Jeanie and Joseph Condon as Margaret. Condon, who also performs in drag as St. Genesius, grew up in St. Petersburg watching the park shows. It was always something he wanted to be a part of, so following graduation from the University of Alabama, he returned to St. Petersburg and booked a show with them.

Before “Hair,” he performed in “Tales by Twilight — Don’t Feed the Animals” at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and has done some play readings as well as festivals with American Stage.

He attended Pinellas County Center for the Arts, where he was able to take dance and musical theatre classes alongside standard courses.

“It felt like not only was I learning, but I was focusing on what I really wanted to do in life,” says Condon. Condon began performing in drag in high school. He had always been interested in hair and makeup and drag felt like the perfect combination of the two along with costumes and theatre.

He was able to put on a drag show during his senior year of high school with other students who wanted to participate. After growing more as a drag performer in college, Condon came back to St. Petersburg and decided to do it part time.

Having experience in theatre contributed to Condon’s ability to step into drag. It helped not only with providing a strong foundation for performing but also with hosting and having witty one-on-ones with the audience.

Condon plays a handful of characters in “Hair,” primarily Margaret Mead — a drag character.

“She’s interested and intrigued, but she also comes from a different generation where this stuff wasn’t as easily talked about,” says Condon. “It’s odd to see parallels from that time and now as it still rings true.”

Condon says performing in the park provides the ability to bring the audience right into the story. He notes that being outside does pose its challenges, such as inclement weather and differences with sound, but it gives a whole new feeling to the show. His experience so far with the cast has been nothing short of wonderful. In the show, the “tribe” moves and acts as one, which helps create and maintain positive relationships among the cast.

“Everyone is just cliquing really well with each other, finding all the lovely moments,” he says. “This is one of those shows that brings the whole cast together.”

The musical features entertaining and amusing scenes alongside more serious concepts. As it takes place in the 60s, the script does include slurs that were used at the time.

“Everyone has been very open, gracious and accepting, which has made it feel very safe,” says Condon. The entertainer is particularly excited about performing in front of Tampa Bay audiences.

“When you practice it so much, you kind of know what’s coming up, but when you have an audience who is experiencing it for the first time, getting their genuine reaction to everything that’s happening is a lot of fun,” says Condon.

American Stage’s “Hair” plays Wednesdays-Sundays at 7:30 p.m. at Demens Landing Park in St. Petersburg and Pride Night is April 19. General blanket or bring your own chair admission is $35 and reserved seating is available. For more information about the show and the Save Park campaign, visit AmericanStage.org.

announcements TAMPA BAY OUT+ABOUT

CONGRATULATIONS

Lakeland hero AJ Slater was awarded the Carnegie Medal last month. Read his story at WatermarkOutNews.com.

Tampa Pride held its 11th celebration in Ybor March 29. View our photos at WatermarkOutNews.com.

TIGLFF held its fifth Tampa Bay Transgender Film Festival March 28-30. Read more at WatermarkOutNews.com.

Bradley’s on 7th celebrated 14 years in Ybor last month after the grand opening of Utopia Road Bar & Courtyard. Read how the LGBTQ+ bars are preparing for Ybor’s future at WatermarkOutNews.com.

Winter Pride officially became its own nonprofit March 28. Read more on p. 10. Tampa Bay entertainer Jewels Sparkles will compete in the season 17 finale of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” scheduled to air April 18 on MTV. “Do you want Jewels Sparkles to snatch the crown? Use #TeamJewelsSparkles to let your voice be heard!” the competition shared via social media. Read more at WatermarkOutNews.com.

Salon Swank celebrated 11 years in St. Petersburg April 6.

CONDOLENCES

Marquis Floyd, a Tampa Bay native and ensemble performer with Disney’s “The Lion King,” died March 23. “He will forever be part of our Pride,” Disney Theatrical Group shared. Read our interview with him, presented in memoriam, at WatermarkOutNews.com.

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS

St. Petersburg advocate Mike Hollis; Safe Space Organizing owner Mandy Keyes, Equality Florida staple Jennie O’Leary (April 11); PFLAG Riverview Founder Faith Moeller, Tampa MCC’s facility manager Mac Williams (April 12); Tampa Bay entertainer Esme Russell, St. Petersburg ROTC twirler Scott Heli, Tampa Bay internet guru Jordan Butterworth, Watermark mom Sama Bender (April 13); LGBTQ+ advocate Eunic Epstein-Ortiz, St. Pete Dance owner Michael Raisch (April 14); Tampa Bay trailblazer Isaiah Sanchez Hilton, Tampa Bay DJ Bill Kody, Thyrst bartender Kaos Pupper (April 15); St. Petersburg artist John Gascot, Tampa Bay talent DeLaran Withers (April 16); Tampa insurance specialist Mitchell Ryan, Sarasota realtor Joey McDonald, St. Petersburg realtor Eric Wilson (April 17); St. Petersburg Stonewall Democrat Beth Fountain, St. Pete superwoman Tammy Benjamin, Tampa Bay environmentalist Joey Stalker, USAA Insurance claims adjustor Andy Perry, Magic man Ryan Zubrick (April 18); Fluent’s David Letro, Dharma Kava Lounge owner Drew Jansen (April 19); Tampa Bay entertainer Vivion Rachel Harris Clarke, Sarasota-area actor Peter Ruiz (April 20); Tampa burlesque producer Mayven Missbehavin, H&R Block team lead Tyler Hargrove, Tampa Bay entertainer Candy Von Sparkle (April 21); Tampa business owner Michael DiCamillo, Project No Labels founder Claire Elisan (April 22); former TIGLFF executive director Scott Skyberg, Tampa Leather Club’s Joseph Mastrapasqua, Metro Inclusive Health Operations Manager Allan HeroShaw, Hancock Whitney Bank VP John Balestrieri (April 23).

1

LASTING LEGACY: Stuart Milk reflects on Harvey Milk’s message of hope at the Hillsborough County LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus fundraiser March 28.

PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

2

CENTER STAGE: Dante Valentino performs at the Cuban Club courtyard during Tampa Pride March 29.

PHOTO BY JORGE CORDOVA

3

TEAM GAYBOR: The Tampa Bay Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, PFLAG Riverview, GaYBor and supporters enjoy the third annual Bonnet Crawl April 6. PHOTO FROM THE SISTERS’ FACEBOOK

4

YEAR FIVE: TIGLFF board members and Tampa Bay Trans Film Fest organizers celebrate the fifth annual event March 28 at Greenlight Cinema. PHOTO BY NICHOLAS CARDELLO FROM TIGLFF’S FACEBOOK

5 BREAKING GROUND: Tampa Mayor Jane Castor (C), city and Straz representatives attend the theater’s groundbreaking ceremony for its expansion April 7. PHOTO BY LUIS SALAZAR

6 DAY OF VISIBILITY: St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch (C) presents local trans leaders and St Pete Pride representatives with the city’s Transgender Day of Visibility proclamation at City Hall. PHOTO FROM WELCH’S FACEBOOK

7 DOING THE WORK: Rainbow Family Wellness tables at St Pete Pride and Justice Over Everything’s LGBTQ+ Town Hall at Allendale UMC April 4. PHOTO BY LUIS SALAZAR

8 TAMPA PROUD: Kathy Thompson (L) and Tampa PD LGBTQ+ Liaison Det. Christie Shiver pick up Watermark Out News during Tampa Pride March 29. PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

announcements

CONGRATULATIONS

U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost of Orlando made his official endorsement March 24 for Florida House District 42 candidate Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet, currently governed by state Rep. Anna V. Eskamani

Central Florida intersex activist Juleigh Mayfield published her memoir, “Genderless, Fearless and Fabulous: The Juleigh Mayfield Story: An Intersex Outlaw” March 31. It is available through Amazon.

The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts announced its 10th Broadway season April 4. The 2025-26 season will open Sept. 30 with the classic, Tony Award-winning musical “The Wiz,” followed by a trio of hit musicals fresh from Broadway: “Water for Elephants,” playing Nov. 4-9; “The Outsiders,” playing Dec. 16-23; and “& Juliet,” playing Jan. 6-11. The stage is then set for a four-week run of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” running Jan. 24-Feb. 21. The season wraps with three more recent Broadway hits: “Hell’s Kitchen,” playing March 3-8; “Kimberly Akimbo,” playing April 14-19; and “The Notebook,” playing May 12-17. Two blockbuster musicals also return as season options: “Hadestown,” running Nov. 28-30, and “Six,” running June 2-7. For more information on the Dr. Phillips Center’s upcoming Broadway season, visit DrPhillipsCenter.org.

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS

Central Florida LGBTQ+ advocate Arthur Charles, Orlando landscaper Todd Meyer, Central Florida activist John R. Sloan Jr., Orlando lovebird Bobby McCall (April 10); Orlando Fringe performer John Michael (April 11); Equality Florida’s Joe Saunders, Orlando Log Cabin Republican Patrick Howell, Orlando dentist Elena Puig (April 12); Florida Hospital’s Stacy Pease, Former OGC director Aubrey Connelly, Florida Paradise Weddings owner Steven Russell (April 13); Elizabeth “Sister Koochie Koo” of the Orlando Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Orlando attorney Cory Beetly, Team Friendly’s Jack Garcia Jr., Dog dad Eric De Jesus, Drag chanteuse Chantel Reshae, Theatre West End co-owner Quinn Roberts (April 14); Ocala-based horse trainer Randy Eeckhout, Southern Nights Orlando DJ Nela Aguirre, Orlando City Soccer fanatic Kevin Torres (April 15); Orlando arts patron Jerry Baumeister (April 18); Photographer Jordan Thomas, Disney enthusiast Nick McCullagh, Orlando bartender Spencer Dalberth (April 19); YouTuber and transgender advocate Zinnia Jones (April 20); Central Florida realtor Scott Penyak, On-air personality for Magic 107.7 Chad Pitt, Disney Vacation Club program facilitator Craig Resendes, Local adventurer Nolan Eden (April 21); “Miss Pee-Vira” AJ Pratt, LGBTQ+ advocate and bearded bear Robert Aguilar, Central Florida promoter Neema Bahrini, Former Rollins College director of dance Bob Sherry (April 22); Trent Leonard of Magic Kingdom’s guest relations, artist Amanda Vickers(April 23).

CENTRAL FLORIDA OUT+ABOUT

1

IMPACTFUL GROUP: Florida Rep. Anna V. Eskamani grabs a photo with members of Impulse Group Orlando as they set up for an event April 5.

PHOTO FROM REP. ANNA V. ESKAMANI’S FACEBOOK

2

INSPIRING HOPE: Florida House candidate Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet attends Congressman Maxwell Frost’s annual Oyster Roast fundraiser in Orlando April 5. PHOTO FROM FELIPE SOUSA-LAZABALLET’S FACEBOOK

3 WICKED TALENTS: WESH 2’s Nancy Alvarez (L) met Tony Award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo while visiting New York March 31. PHOTO FROM NANCY ALVAREZ’S FACEBOOK

4 ALL ABOARD: Watermark Out News’ Editor-in-Chief Jeremy Williams is welcomed aboard his first cruise by a life-size Lego sailor March 27. PHOTO BY CHARLES WILLIAMS

5

SPREADING CARE: Ethan and Erick Suarez celebrate Pineapple Healthcare’s Kissimmee clinic with a grand opening event March 24. PHOTO FROM PINEAPPLE HEALTHCARE’S FACEBOOK

6 A CROWNED QUEEN: Josh and Michael Orsini-Collins celebrate with newly crowned National Miss Comedy Queen Debbie Does Drag at The Plaza Live in Orlando March 27. PHOTO FROM JOSH ORSINI-COLLINS’ FACEBOOK

7 FULL OF LAUGHS: Lee Cohen entertains the crowd onstage at the Funny Bone Comedy Club in Orlando April 5. PHOTO FROM LEE COHEN’S FACEBOOK

8 ON BROADWAY: Watermark Out News’ Sales Director Danny Garcia checks out the Broadway Museum while on a work trip to New York City April 2. PHOTO BY RICK TODD

community calendar

CENTRAL FLORIDA

COWP’s 2025 Pride Prom

FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 8 P.M.-12 A.M. ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER, ORLANDO

Come Out With Pride is back with its annual 21+ Pride Prom. This year, step into the glitz and glamour of Old Hollywood as Pride celebrates the Golden Age of film. Dance the night away with live entertainment by Raspberry Pie, strike a pose at the Firefly Photo Booth and cheer on the crowning of our fabulous Royal Court, and don’t miss the headliner — drag star Naomi Smalls. General admission tickets are $27 with VIP Experience available for $73. For more information, go to ComeOutWithPride.org.

Out and About Networking

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 6-8 P.M. SAVOY, ORLANDO

Join Watermark Out News for its Out and About Networking April mixer at Savoy Orlando. This free-to-attend monthly mixer spotlights Watermark’s current advertisers and brings together LGBTQ+ professionals to meet and mingle. Light bites and your first drink are provided at no charge. Bring cash for a chance to win some amazing raffle prizes. All proceeds go to benefit Zebra prizes. All proceeds go to benefit Zebra Youth. This event is 21 and up only. For more information, visit WatermarkOutNews.com.

TAMPA BAY

Wigs and Wit

SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 7-9 P.M. THE COMMODORE, TAMPA

Comedian Jeff Klein presents Wigs and Wit, a hilarious and unique show making its triumphant return to Tampa Bay for the first time in years. Watch as three comedians and three drag queens go head to head, trading one another’s talents in a contest to see who reigns supreme, with YOU as the judge in the final round! Tickets are $23.49 at CommodoreComedy.com.

LGBTQ+ Tampa Bowling League Launch

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 7 P.M. PIN CHASERS MIDTOWN, TAMPA

Hosted by OUT Sports League, this recreational 8-week bowling league at Pin Chasers Midtown is open to people of all skill levels and backgrounds and provides a great opportunity to meet other people in the LGBTQ+ community. Registration is open until April 14 and you can register as an individual or as a team. Learn more at Facebook.com/OUTTampa.

EVENT PLANNER

DRINK UP

Kylie Minogue, April 13, Kia Center, Orlando. 407-440-7900; KiaCenter.com

CENTRAL FLORIDA

“The Prom,” April 4-21, Breakthrough Theatre Company. Winter Park. 407-920-4034; BreakthroughTheatre.com

“Fiddler on the Roof,” April 10-13, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 407-358-6603; DrPhillipsCenter.org

Kathleen Madigan, April 11, Hard Rock Live, Orlando. 407-351-5483; HardRock.com

Florida Film Festival, April 11-20, Enzian Theater, Maitland. 407-629-1088; FloridaFilmFestival.com

Apopka International Spring Orchid Festival, April 11-13, Krull-Smith, Apopka. 407-886-4134; KrullSmith.com

Mr. Glamorous 2025, April 12, Dream City, Orlando. 407-704-6538; DreamCityOrlando.com

Miss Glamorous 2025, April 13, The Plaza Live, Orlando. 407-228-1220; PlazaLiveOrlando.org

The Body Shop w/ Jace Starr, April 15, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsOrlando

LGBTQ+ Wednesday Bowling League opener, April 16, Boardwalk Bowl, Orlando. OUTSportsLeague.com

Bottoms Up Bingo w/ Daisy Dior, April 18, Hourglass Brewing, Orlando. 407-730-5249; District. HourglassBrewing.com

Once Upon a Time Drag Brunch, April 19, Game Room & Social Club, Orlando. 407-434-9889; GayOfficersActionLeagueFL.org

KindRED Pride and Joy MCC Easter Basket Drive, April 20, Joy Metropolitan Community Church, Orlando. 407-894-1081; JoyMCC.com

Let’s Take a Mental Health Break(fast), April 23, Center for Health and Wellbeing, Winter Park. PeerSupportSpace.org

Spotlight Cabaret Series

- Russell Stephens’ “Leading Ladies: Legends of Stage and Screen,” April 23-24, Winter Park Playhouse, Winter Park. 407-645-0145; WinterParkPlayhouse.org

TAMPA BAY

“The Lion King,” Through April 20, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

“A Titanic Double Feature,” April 11-13, The Fringe Theater, Tampa. 727-513-8433; TampaFringe.org

Opera Tampa: “La Bohème,” April 11; 13, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; FloridaOrchestra.org

Kathleen Madigan, April 12, Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. 727-892-5767; TheMahaffey.com Drag & Drinks, April 12, Union Hall, Lakeland. 863-288-0372; UnionHallEvents.com

“For Closure!” April 11-May 11, freeFall Theatre Company, St. Petersburg. 727-498-5205; freeFallTheatre.com

Annie DiRusso’s “Back in Town Tour,” April 16, Crowbar, Tampa. 813-241-8600; CrowbarYbor.com

St Pete Pride Drag Bingo, April 16, The Study Wine & Beer Lounge, St. Petersburg. 727-827-2024; StPetePride.org

“Clue: A Walking Mystery,” April 17-20; 24-25, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

Speak with Pride Open Mic, April 18, The Werk, St. Petersburg. 727-289-8685; StPetePride.org

“Popcorn/Watermelon: The Dance Edition,” April 19, American Legion Seminole Post 111, Tampa. Facebook.com/ TampaSisters

Shade Showcase: “It Came from Ft. Myers,” April 19, The Garage, St. Petersburg. Instagram.com/ TheShadeShowcase

Women of Rock Tribute, April 19, Salty Nun, St. Petersburg. 407-952-2868; WomenOfRockTribute.com

Hunky Jesus & Foxy Mary Contest, April 20, Cocktail, St. Petersburg. 727-592-1914; CocktailStPete.com

“Showgirls,” Apr. 23, Tampa Theatre, Tampa. 813-274-8981; TampaTheatre.org

SARASOTA

Tea4T: Drag Open Stage, April 18, Fabulous Arts Foundation, Sarasota. FabAF.org

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

Comic legend Kathleen Madigan brings her “Day Drinking Tour” to Hard Rock Live in Orlando April 11 and The Mahaffey in St. Petersburg April 12. PHOTO FROM HARDROCK.COM

Best for Kids in Orlando.

There’s only one hospital in Florida ranked as a “Best Children’s Hospital” for the 15th consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report, a global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice. Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. With designations in pediatric diabetes and endocrinology, neonatology, pediatric neurology and neurosurgery, pediatric pulmonology and pediatric behavioral health, Arnold Palmer Hospital provides kids, teens and young adults with compassionate care that’s consistent year in and year out. Learn more at ArnoldPalmerHospital.com