PUBLISHER’S DESK

PUBLISHER

Rick@WatermarkOnline.com DESK

You know, back in the 80s when the bottles were made of glass and you couldn’t squeeze the sweet, tangy goodness out of them. Whether it’s Ernie being ditched by his male friends waiting for that ketchup to hit his fries, only to be rescued by the popular girls; or the hip kid in his red high tops who starts pouring the ketchup as he orders his burger, receiving the food just in time for the glob of falling ketchup. Timing was everything.

I feel like I adopted this slogan as a kind of mantra. I’m not exactly sure if it was a full embrace of the idea that patience is a virtue, or a post justification for procrastination. I am capable of good things. My wedding for example was one of the best nights of my life. It was organized and well executed, and I had amazing people helping me out. Sometimes though, things aren’t always well planned out and methodical. Sometimes it’s the adrenaline rush and anxiety of putting it off and having limited time that gets it done.

I don’t think I’m alone in this, but I like to do what I am good at. If there is something I don’t perceive as my strong suit, I put it off to the last minute – something my accountant can attest to. Taxes are one of those things I put off because I either don’t like it or it gives me anxiety. Sometimes, more often than I will admit but our editor would agree, putting words on this page is a struggle and I missed my deadline by four days. To him I say – good things come to those who wait.

About four years ago I watched the NBC miniseries, “When We Rise.” I kind of remember it getting panned a little, but I loved it. It exemplified strength and courage. The show chronicled the rise of the LGBTQ rights movement in the United States. Right off the bat, I was hooked. A small group of women set out to protest for their rights in a local park. They knew they were going to meet resistance. They knew they would be attacked and arrested. They did it anyway because they also knew it was something they had to do.

I watched this in February of 2017, following the June 2016 attack at Pulse where 49 lives were taken and hundreds terrorized. In the wake of this tragedy our community leaders mobilized to offer and expand resources to help those most affected. I was inspired and in awe of this community, and I wondered, how were we able to come together so quickly to give so much of ourselves?

We know who Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Cleve Jones and Harvey Milk are, but who are their local counter parts? Who are the small group of women that stood up for themselves despite the consequences so that those who came after them could have a better life? Who are the pioneers that laid the foundation in Central Florida and made this community Orlando Strong?

These questions needed answers so I set out to make a documentary about the LGBTQ community of Central Florida. I spoke to a few people about it but it wasn’t gaining any traction. Then I met Sandi Hulon, a film industry professional Watermark was doing a story on. Her passion for this project matched mine and the plan was set in motion. I started Watermark Film Company and with the help of some amazing people we launched a fundraising trailer to raise the money to make a feature length documentary telling our community’s story. We had big dreams and high hopes. Our fundraising efforts didn’t quite match those dreams and the project was stalled. Turns out I’m not so great at asking people for money so I procrastinated. After COVID hit, we were further delayed.

I met with Sandi and then some advisers close to me and decided to make a big push toward reviving the documentary. I dissolved Watermark Film Company and handed the task to Watermark Publishing Group. This gave me the opportunity to use the support system of an established business and allowed me to personally invest over $50,000 to the cause. We teamed up with the talented folks at Adrenaline Films and I am happy to report production is underway. I feel more confident than ever to say that after a four year wait, something amazing is happening.

There are several ways you can be a part of this historic endeavor. You can help with financial support. We offer benefit packages for monetary contributions of many levels. Just visit GreetingsFromQueertown.com for details and to watch the fundraising

trailer. In filmmaking time is money, and the more money we raise the more time we get. Right now there are too many local LGBTQ heroes sitting at home whose stories are forgotten and unknown. Please help us tell their important histories.

We also want your stories, your pictures and your videos. Feel free to share these on our social media or email to Documentary@ WatermarkOnline.com. Were you at the early years of Gay Day at Disney, pride parades, sports leagues or Headdress Ball? Share it with us and help us tell the coming out story of Orlando. We strive to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. I hope you enjoy this latest issue.

1300 N. Semoran Blvd. Ste 250 Orlando, FL 32807 TEL: 407-481-2243

401 33rd Street N. St. Petersburg, FL 33713 TEL: 813-655-9890

has been honored for her theatrical roles and volunteerism. She has performed onstage from New York to Fiji and can be seen on screen via Amazon Prime and Sarasota’s Suncoast View. Page 17

Bryana Saldana is a 25-year-old, Afro-Latina poet born and raised in Orlando. Saldana had her first published poem through “Women Who Roar.” Saldana’s pronouns are She/Her/ They. Page 19

is the founder and president of Wordier Than Thou, a literary arts nonprofit that creates fun, engaging events for writers and readers. Page 33

SABRINA AMBRA, NATHAN BRUEMMER, SCOTTIE CAMPBELL, MIGUEL FULLER, DIVINE GRACE, HOLLY KAPHERR ALEJOS, JASON LECLERC, MELODY MAIA MONET, JERICK MEDIAVILLA, GREG STEMM, DR. STEVE YACOVELLI, MICHAEL WANZIE

BRIAN BECNEL, NICK CARDELLO, BRUCE HARDIN, JAMARQUS MOSLEY, CHRIS STEPHENSON, LEE VANDERGRIFT

LVNLIF2 DISTRIBUTING, KEN CARRAWAY, VANESSA MARESCA-CRUZ

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