Orlando's Bliss CARES New Event to Raise Funds for Transgender Housing
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Celebrating 25 years of Your LGBTQ Life.
June 27 - July 10, 2019
Issue 26.13
Orlando’s Bliss CARES Pasco Pride
New Event to Raise Funds Adopts Former
for Transgender Housing KKK Road
D AY T O N A B E A C H / ORLANDO / TA M P A / S T. P E T E R S B U R G / C L E A R W AT E R / S A R A S O TA
2 watermark Your LGBTQ life. June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com
watermark Your LGBTQ life. June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com 3
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4 watermark Your LGBTQ life. June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com
“We would no longer be invisible … Not only would
departments
we be open about who we were, we’d also be in your
7 // Publisher’s desk face to fight for our rights, not merely plead
page
8 // Central Florida News
10 // Tampa Bay News
25 for them.”
–Mark Segal, Philadelphia Gay News publisher and Gay Liberation
Front member from 1969-1971, remembering Stonewall
12 // State news
13 // Nation & World News
21 // Talking points
41 // Community Calendar
43 // Tampa Bay Out & About
45 // Central FL out & About
46 // Tampa Bay Marketplace
48 // Orlando Marketplace
53 // Wedding bells /
Announcements
54 // Year in Review: 2014
On the cover
page
50 YEARS AGO: LGBTQ
31 ICONIC: 50 artists honor 50 years
of Stonewall with MIZE Gallery’s “ICONS:
LGBTQ+ Portraits.”
page Watermark Issue 26.13 // June 27 - july 10, 2019
23
activists share their
experiences at The
Stonewall Inn on
June 28, 1969. Cover design by
Truth Be told RIDE WITH PRIDE The Wonderful World Dancing with a Cause
DiBenedetto/Wiedemann.
scan Read
qr code for It Online!
WatermarkOnline.com In addition to a Web site
with daily LGBTQ updates,
a digital version of each
issue of the publication
is made available on
WatermarkOnline.com page Florida House candidate page Pasco Pride adopts a page Columnist Michael Wanzie page Bliss CARES’ dancing
08 Elizabeth McCarthy’s
credibility questioned.
10 road formerly adopted
by the KKK.
17 talks penguins and
making babies.
37 competition raises money
for transgender housing.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @WatermarkOnline and Like us on Facebook.
watermark Your LGBTQ life. June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com 5
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contributors
and I so badly wanted to tell them publications will inform you Michael
I could relate, but I was too afraid because a rainbow-colored potato Wanzie is
to do so. That’s what isolation chip is cool, saving them money an Orlando-based
does to you. That’s why visibility on advertising. playwright, actor
is so massively important. Harvey From a business that is fueled and ordained
Milk, a genius, understood that. by advertising dollars, it would minister. He is most recognized for
I wish he was alive today to be smart to advertise and ensure
his direction of productions in the
see the world come together in publications are always around
Publisher’s
Orlando area. Page 17
New York City. to write those stories. As for
As pride celebrations ramp up, products that LGBTQ people enjoy Greg Stemm
Desk
though, controversy is never far year round: Disney, Amazon, lives in Gulfport,
away. The growing popularity of Apple and Starbucks—it would Fla., and has
parades and festivals brings with be nice to see you reach out to the worked as a
it a greater sense of celebration, National LGBTQ Media Association freelance writer
a larger price tag and more and start some local campaigns. for several local publications. He
Rick Claggett corporate involvement. So where Come into our homes and our lives
is a founding member of St. Pete
is the controversy? Is it that and let’s work together. Thank you
PUblisher celebrations negate the protest
Pride and active politically in
Rick@WatermarkOnline.com Tampa Bay. Page 19
aspect of pride? Is corporate
involvement a sell out? I didn’t grow up Aaron
H
I’ve never really embraced
those arguments. Parades by
in a world as Drake
ere we are again, the nature are a political protest, accepting as today,
is a contributor to
Creative Loafing,
even as a celebration. Why can’t
keystone of Pride around the world. they be both? The more visible nor did I grow South Florida Gay
News and ManAboutWorld. He loves
We’ve celebrated Pride in Kissimmee we are, the better off we will
and Polk County, and are still reveling in the joy be and the better off those who up in a world getting lost in other countries and
think they are isolated will be. his German Shepherd. Page 53
that St Pete Pride brings. Now we turn to the event It takes all of us. It takes social where police
that started it all, Stonewall. This year is special, justice warriors carrying signs
and it takes shirtless guys in box
raided LGBTQ Sabrina Ambra, Nathan Bruemmer,
Scottie Campbell, Miguel Fuller,
though. Stonewall turns 50 and the world is set to shorts dancing. We are a vast
community and we all need to
establishments. Divine Grace, Holly Kapherr Alejos,
Jason Leclerc, Melody Maia Monet,
celebrate and honor the brave people who began support each other. to businesses like Regions Bank,
Jerick Mediavilla, Greg Stemm,
Dr. Steve yacovelli, Michael wanzie
a movement that would change lives for half of a As for corporations, why would Target and Bud Light who see the
their involvement be a bad thing? importance and value in regional
century, with no signs of slowing down. I would have been mesmerized LGBTQ media.
Stonewall 50 is going to be perception. “Why would you want had a supportive Fortune 500 In this issue of Watermark photography
a massive event. The parade to do that? That’s what gay people company walked next to me in my we hear from those who were
itself is expected to last longer do.” Gay characters on TV and first pride parade, footing the bill at Stonewall the night of the Brian Becnel, Nick Cardello,
than the average workday with movies were cheating on their so that a group of gay kids could riots in 1969. Bruce Hardin, Jamarqus Mosley,
walk, be entertained and celebrate In Orlando news, Hope and Chris Stephenson, Lee Vandergrift
over 150,000 participants and spouses or a two-dimensional
millions of spectators. My, how far punch line. Naturally, I assumed for free. Although, it’s not all Help talks HIV prevention; while
we have come! this is what I would grow up about the money. Visibility is key. in Tampa Bay Pasco Pride adopts
I didn’t grow up in a world as to be—and this was 20 years The more support we have the a highway previously secured by distribution
accepting as today, nor did I grow after Stonewall. better off we are. the KKK. In entertainment we look
up in a world where police raided In high school I remember My issue with some big at Florida artists’ take on LGBTQ LVNLIF2 Distributing, Ken Carraway,
LGBTQ establishments. I spent hearing a rumor that two kids corporations is that they slap a icons and Central Florida’s “Sweet Vanessa Maresca-Cruz
most of my teenage years isolated I played baseball with were gay. rainbow on their products for Dreams” fundraiser.
from anything LGBTQ that was Of course the rumors were not you to buy and wear for pride, We strive to bring you a variety
CONTENTS of WATERMARK are protected by federal
positive. All I saw of the LGBTQ talked about in a good way. I so but they don’t advertise that to of stories, your stories. I hope you copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole
community was from a negative desperately wanted them to be gay you. They expect that local LGBTQ enjoy this latest issue. or part without the permission of the publisher.
Unsolicited article submissions will not be returned
unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped
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by many fine advertisers, we cannot accept
responsibility for claims made by advertisers.
watermark staff Publication of the name or photograph of any
person or organization in articles, advertising, or
CFL Bureau Chief:
Senior Tampa Bay Account Manager:
Russ Martin • Ext. 303
Orlando Office listing in WATERMARK is not to be construed as
any indication of the sexual orientation of such
Jeremy Williams • Ext. 106 Danny Garcia • Ext. 108 Russ@WatermarkOnline.com 414 N. Ferncreek Ave. persons or members of such organizations.
Owner & Publisher: Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com Danny@WatermarkOnline.com Orlando, FL 32803
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watermark Your LGBTQ life. June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com 7
central florida news
Hope & Help to increase HIV
awareness as Orlando among top
areas with new diagnoses
Jeremy Williams
ORLANDO | In the wake of the latest stats on HIV in
the U.S., Hope & Help is looking to increase its visibility
in the LGBTQ community. According to the latest STAYING
numbers from AIDSVu, Central Florida ranks second in IN IT:
the U.S. for most new HIV diagnoses, only behind the Elizabeth McCarthy
Miami-Dade area.
will continue her
The fact that the top two areas with the largest
Florida House
number of new cases are both in Florida is not
District 28
surprising to Abby Silverman, operations director at
campaign despite
Hope & Help.
“We don’t have comprehensive sex education. We the controversy.
Photo courtesy
currently don’t have clean needle exchange programs. McCarthy’s campaign
We didn’t expand on Medicaid, we’ve been behind the Facebook page
curve as a state in terms of our policies, our education
Truth Be Told
and our practices,” Silverman says. “San Francisco, New Many members of the
York, D.C., Philadelphia; you go to these cities and the community who have worked
messaging is everywhere. And it’s fun, it’s positive with McCarthy over the years have
and it’s sexy. You come to Florida, it’s crickets; you taken to social media to call on her
don’t see it.” to address the accusations directly,
Florida House candidate Elizabeth
Lack of education and awareness are key factors something she did not do in her
why numbers of new transmissions have continued to “My Story” post.
climb in Central Florida over the last decade. According
to Hope & Help, one in every seven people living with McCarthy’s creditability questioned “Elizabeth and I go back many
years, she is someone I trusted,
HIV don’t even know they have the virus. someone that I believed in on so
Hope & Help’s offices, as well as The LGBT+ Center, of Health that no doctor under
offer free HIV testing. Getting tested and finding those Jeremy Williams McCarthy’s name worked for
many levels both professionally
and civically,” wrote former Orange
S
who are HIV-positive early is the key to preventing the Orlando Health. County Soil & Water Conservation
spread of the virus. ANFORD, Fla. | Elizabeth After the story broke, McCarthy District Supervisor Eric Rollings
“The earlier we can get someone who has tested McCarthy—the openly advised Florida Politics via text on Facebook. “I reached out to
positive on treatment, we can get their viral load LGBTQ, Democratic that she would be suspending her Elizabeth a week ago and asked
undetectable making them untransmittable,” says Scott candidate running for Florida campaign, but reversed course her to please, take a picture of her
Bowles, a peer specialist with Hope & Help. House District 28, whose full the following day in a Facebook diploma or license or anything
Education on safer sexual habits is another key legal name is Catherine Elizabeth post titled “My Story.” In the post, so I can prove to the people you
area to combating HIV, especially within the younger McCarthy—has come under fire McCarthy calls the reporting on are who you say you are. She
communities. Hope & Help is launching an ambassador for inconsistencies about her past, her background a “campaign has not been able to produce
program within local area schools, according to Lisa most notably her claims of working smearing” and writes “I did think anything at all.”
Barr, Hope & Help’s executive director. as a cardiologist at Orlando about shutting down my campaign Watermark reached out to
“Talking with your peers is much different than Regional Medical Center on June after this attack I was not ready McCarthy to clear up the questions
having some old white lady come in,” says Barr. “Now 12, 2016 after the Pulse tragedy. for it. I am not going to do that. about her history with Orlando
you’ve got somebody who’s a friend of yours saying, Florida Politics reported June I have a passion for legislation, Health. McCarthy replied with
‘Hey, man, you need to put a raincoat on.’ Those are 15, when confronted about the apparently not up to snuff on an email, stating “No thank you,
the kinds of things that we’re trying to foster in inconsistencies, McCarthy insisted campaigning but I am learning. appreciate you asking.”
the messaging.” that “Yes, I am a doctor” and “Yes, I am MOVING FORWARD.” Several notable members of the
Higher-risk groups have PrEP (Pre-Exposure I did work the night of Pulse.” McCarthy has been active LGBTQ community who have taken
Prophylaxis) as an option as well for HIV prevention. “I was working that night. in Central Florida’s LGBTQ to social media to call for answers
The Florida Department of Health announced earlier I removed 77 bullets out of 32 community for years, including from McCarthy include Florida
this year it will begin offering PrEP at all locations people, and helped with the working as a sales account House Rep. Carlos Guillermo
statewide for free by the end of 2019. triage,” she said, according to manager for this publication Smith, LGBT+ Center Orlando
Hope & Help also has a mail delivery condom Florida Politics. in 2012, and worked closely Executive Director George Wallace
program to promote healthier sexual behavior. Florida Politics reported that with Congressman Darren Soto and prominent LGBTQ physician
“You don’t even need to come in,” Barr says. “They are the Department of Health has during his run for Florida’s 9th Dr. Rafael E. Pinero.
delivered free to your home. We want people to know no record of McCarthy being District. Soto has frequently sung “It seems like we all have been
that they need to protect themselves.” a licensed doctor and Orlando McCarthy’s praises as a champion deceived. She should be asked to
Health has no record of any doctor for LGBTQ rights. step down from any political and
For more information on programs, support groups and health services working there by that name. Watermark reached out to
offered by Hope & Help, visit HopeAndHelp.org.
leadership position at this point,”
Watermark has independently Soto’s office for comment but did wrote Pinero.
verified with Florida’s Department not hear back as of press time.
8 watermark Your LGBTQ life. June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com
cdc.gov/StartTalking
/StartTalkingHIV
/StartTalkingHIV
watermark Your LGBTQ life. June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com 9
tampa bay news
St. Petersburg extends bullying
protections to LGBTQ youth
Ryan Williams-Jent
S
T. PETERSBURG | Mayor Rick Kriseman
announced June 20 that he has extended the city’s
anti-bullying policy in its youth programming to
protect LGBTQ youth.
The city is committed to providing an environment
for all youth that is safe, secure and free from
harassment and bullying of any kind, officials shared
June 21. The policy applies to any youth enrolled or
participating in programs run or sponsored by the
city. Youth who are not enrolled in the city’s programs PASCO PROUD: Pasco Pride President
but utilize any of their facilities or amenities are also Nina Borders (4th from L) and the Pride board
subject to the guidelines. attend a New Port Richey City Council meeting
The mayor announced he would sign the expanded June 18. PHOTO COURTESY NINA BORDERS
policy during St Pete Pride’s Stonewall Reception at the
Museum of Fine Arts, days ahead of the organization’s
Ride with Pride
17th annual Pride weekend. “I get to travel a lot
The community has been very
and meet with a lot of different mayors from cities
supportive of our efforts. We didn’t
all over the country, and people are hearing about
know what to expect when we
St. Petersburg and about what’s happening in this
announced this … we’re going to
town right now—all of the energy, the Pride, the
push forward because it’s the right
growth,” he began.
“St. Petersburg is a community that is welcoming, Pasco Pride adopts road formerly thing to do.”
In addition to cleaning up the
that is inclusive and we celebrate diversity. The example
that I give them for all of those things is Pride,” he claimed by KKK, seeks volunteers roadside, Borders says Pasco Pride
plans to help the area’s homeless.
continued, “and I tell them if you want to see the best
“There’s a large population of
of a community, come to St. Petersburg during Pride perfect fit. “We were looking at
weekend and experience everything that this city Ryan Williams-Jent how we could make an impact with
people who live in the woods or
off the road in the area,” she says.
N
has to offer. our limited resources, because “We’ll have water and we’ll have
“So I’m going to break some news here tonight,” the EW PORT RICHEY, Fla. | we don’t necessarily have the food—we’re going to try and help
mayor added. “I’m going to sign an executive order that Pasco Pride has adopted a resources that larger Prides do,” out in a lot of different ways.”
changes St. Petersburg’s policy on bullying.” one-mile stretch of Moon she says. “A lot of our members Pasco Pride is currently seeking
The amended, LGBTQ-inclusive language reads as Lake Road via Pasco County’s live around Moon Lake Road and volunteers to assist them in their
follows. “Bullying may be based on a youth’s actual or Adopt-a-Road program, a section there’s a large trash problem. The cleanup efforts. In conjunction
perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, previously claimed by the white roads there have been neglected with Keep Pasco Beautiful, the
sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual supremacist hate group the Ku and we can have a large impact.” group will hold safety training at
orientation, gender identity or expression, intellectual Klux Klan (KKK) in 1993. Borders, who moved to the ZenfiniTea in New Port Richey on
ability, familial status, family responsibilities, Pasco Pride exists to connect, area from Orlando four years ago, July 10. Eager environmentalists
matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, build and strengthen the LGBTQ wasn’t aware the KKK had claimed are required to attend the
disability, source of income or any other distinguishing community in and around Pasco the road until announcing the meeting or receive the training
characteristic, or on a youth’s association with a person County. Now in its second year, venture. “We knew they had been to participate.
or group with any of the actual or perceived foregoing the organization was seeking present in the area, along with a “As we’ve moved into year two,
characteristics.” community outreach projects to lot of white nationalist groups, we have been focused on building
The city notes in its policy that any act of bullying, raise awareness for its mission but we didn’t know they had a strong foundation so that we can
harassment, cyberstalking or cyberbullying—whether when it discovered Keep Pasco legally adopted the road,” she says. continue to serve the community,”
by youth, city volunteers or city staff—is prohibited. It Beautiful. The not-for-profit “I didn’t think a hate group could Borders says. “Pasco Pride is
defines harassment as any gesture that causes a youth organization promotes the do that, but apparently in the 90s it taking over a road in the area
to fear they will be harmed or interferes in their ability county’s Adopt-a-Road program to was a thing.” that has a long history of white
to benefit from the city’s services. “encourage beautification.” According to news archives, nationalism and hate. This goes to
Cyberstalking and cyberbullying are defined as It requires a two-year then-Pasco Utility Projects Director the heart of that—we’re here to
engaging in conduct to cause distress or to incite harm commitment and a minimum of Bob Sigmond said in 1993 that show people that we’re all about
through technology. Retaliation against those who four roadside clean-ups per year. the group was entitled to program love. Join us.”
report any type of infraction is also prohibited. The county provides signage at the participation despite the objection
The protections note that any youth found to have beginning and end of the adopted of some locals. Signs read “Adopt-a- Pasco Pride’s Safety Training will be held July
committed bullying will “be subject to consequences roadway sections bearing the Road, Pasco County: Knights of the 10 from 5-6 p.m. at ZenfiniTea, located at
and appropriate remedial action,” ranging from adoptive organization’s name in Ku Klux Klan” for years. 3501 Universal Plaza in New Port Richey.
interventions to program expulsion. Employees and exchange for their efforts. “Eventually the county got For more information about the meeting or
volunteers will be subject to disciplinary action. Pasco Pride President Nina too much pushback,” Borders Pasco Pride, visit PascoPrideFestival.org.
Borders says the program was a says, “and now here we are.
10 watermark Your LGBTQ life. June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .comFreedom
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watermark Your LGBTQ life. June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com 11state news
First Wynwood looked to mix fun, art and nonprofit awareness
Damon Scott of South Florida “The overall goal of Wynwood Pride is to serve as a The event featured drag shows, lip-synching battles,
catalyst for communication, education, empowerment late-night DJs, large-scale art installations, voguing
Gay News and unification of the LGBTQ community through many competitions and more. And since it’s Wynwood, of
different mediums,” organizers said in a statement. course there was art.
M
IAMI, Fla. | The organizers of the first Wynwood Wynwood Pride organizers said three nonprofits will In conjunction with event organizers, the AXS Art’s
Pride Music Festival said attendees could benefit from money raised at the event. The nonprofits Pride LGBTQ exhibit, an initiative of the AXS Law
expect to be treated with a mix of performers, are Pridelines, the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Group, will be on display by appointment from now
talented artists and more than 20 nonprofit groups. Justice and Survivors’ Pathway. until Aug. 31.
The event took place June 21-23 at the Wynwood Pridelines provides services and support to South An opening art reception took place June 6 from 4-9
Marketplace in Miami. Florida LGBTQ youth, such as emergency housing, p.m. The exhibit is located in Wynwood.
General admission to the event was free, although transportation/relocations assistance, and other The installation featured seven award-winning
there were other access levels ranging from $25 to $75. help for queer youth experiencing, or at risk of, LGBTQ artists who “have been influenced by their
The event coincided with LGBTQ Pride Month in homelessness. cultural roots and whose craft uniquely illustrates
June—chosen to commemorate the Stonewall riots Astraea raises and distributes funds to programs South Florida’s diverse community,” AXS Law Group
of June 1969. and initiatives led by lesbians and queer women, said in a statement.
While South Florida hosts many other Pride events transgender, non-conforming people, intersex people Artists in the exhibit included Lazaro Amaral,
throughout the year; including in Miami Beach, Fort and people of color. It has granted more than $40 Rolando Barrero, Marco Caridad, Paul Cormack, Jennifer
Lauderdale, Wilton Manors, Key West and Hialeah, million to 1,700 partners since 1980. Maria, Gigi Motley and Marcel Saleta. To see the exhibit,
organizers said Wynwood Pride is the first for the Survivors’ Pathway provides services that focus on contact AXS Law Group by phone at 305-297-1878 or
city of Miami. mental health. It runs a center in Miami-Dade County via email at info@axslawgroup.com.
The three-day festival hosted panels on gay issues, that serves Latino and LGBTQI victims and survivors of Wynwood Pride was produced by event agency
film screenings and mural installations. domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and SWARM, in partnership with the Wynwood Business
The “community village” is where the nonprofits hate crimes. Improvement District (BID).
were located—representing groups focused on Expect local and international LGBTQ talent during For more information, go to WynwoodPride.com.
LGBTQ, youth justice and health issues. The village the three-day run, organizers said ahead of time.
offered HIV testing, counseling information, clothing Scheduled to appear were entertainers Pabllo Vittar,
donations and more. Aja, Dorian Electra, DJ Citizen Jane and Carmen Carrera.
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12 watermark Your LGBTQ life. June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .comnation+world news
in other news
Supreme Court vacates $135K fine against Utah High School football
Oregon couple who refused to serve gays players burn Pride flag
Two high school football players from Kearns, Utah
The Oregon Court of Appeals would be inconsistent with her have been suspended from the team for posting and
Chris Johnson of The is instructed to reconsider the religious beliefs. sharing a video showing a Pride flag burning and using
Washington Blade, case in the aftermath of the U.S. The couple filed a complaint homophobic language. A player posted a video on
Snapchat of someone lighting a Pride flag on fire. In
Courtesy of the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision in with the Oregon Bureau of
the video, someone can be heard saying “All gays die.”
the Masterpiece Cakeshop case. Labor & Industries asserting
National LGBT Media The ruling found the Colorado Sweetcakes had violated Oregon’s The suspended students were the player who initially
Association Civil Rights Commission held human rights law, which bars posted the video and another student who reposted
anti-religious bias when concluding anti-gay discrimination in the video. A spokesman for the Granite School District
T
Jack Phillips of Masterpiece public accommodations and says they are investigating the incident and considering
he U.S. Supreme Court Cakeshop violated Colorado fined the couple $135,000. The proper punishment for the students.
vacated on June 17 a civil rights law. Based on those administrative court also issued a
$135,000 fine against an cease and desist order, which the
Oregon-based family business
narrow facts of the case, the U.S.
Supreme Court vacated the decision couple interpreted as a gag order
Mastercard to allow trans
that refused based on religious against Phillips. preventing them from talking about people to use chosen name
objections to make a wedding cake The Klein petition was filed their beliefs. Mastercard will allow transgender people to use their
in 2013 for a same-sex couple. by the Texas-based law firm First Melissa Klein and her spouse chosen names on credit and debit cards in an effort
In an order list, the Supreme Liberty in October and has been Aaron asserted the penalty put to combat discrimination at the cash register. That
Court indicated it had issued pending before the Supreme Court their company Sweetcakes out means that the name on the credit card owned by a
summary disposition in response for nearly a year. of business. transgender person could be different than that found
to the petition for certiorari filed by In 2013, a female same-sex The Oregon Court of Appeals
Aaron and Melissa Kline, vacating on their birth certificate or driver’s license. It is up to
couple, Rachel and Laurel upheld the decision from the the banks that issue the cards to actually implement
the decision against the couple and Bowman-Cryer, came to Sweetcakes Oregon Bureau of Labor &
remanding it back to the Oregon the change and on June 17, Mastercard called on those
and, after an initial tasting, Industries. Last year, the Oregon banks to do so. Three states—Tennessee, Kansas and
Court of Appeals. The Supreme requested a wedding cake for a Supreme Court declined to review
Court’s action falls short of Ohio—legally bar a transgender person from changing
commitment ceremony. (Oregon the petition, which prompted
recognizing the First Amendment the sex listed on their birth certificate. A transgender
hadn’t yet legalized same-sex First Liberty to file the petition
right sought by the couple to refuse person will no longer have to wait to get a legal name
marriage.) Melissa Kline refused for certiorari before the U.S.
service to same-sex couples. change or make changes to their birth certificate.
them the service on the basis Supreme Court.
that baking a wedding cake
Trans woman alleges former
Chicago cop of sex crime
Senate confirms anti-LGBTQ judicial nominee Chicago police are investigating allegations that a
now-retired sergeant forced a transgender woman to
who stood up for Kim Davis perform a sex act inside a marked police vehicle while
he was on duty. Department spokesman Anthony
Guglielmi says that after an internal investigation the
LGBTQ Americans and disregard Kacsmaryk has a long record of sergeant was stripped of his police powers in early
Chris Johnson of The for Supreme Court precedents.” anti-LGBTQ positions and writings, April and that he has since retired. The police reports
Washington Blade, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), defining the LGBTQ rights struggle indicate that the woman reported to doctors at Rush
Courtesy of the the first out lesbian elected to at one time as a “clash of absolutes” University Medical Center shortly after the alleged
the Senate, said she heard from between “religious liberty and incident with DNA evidence. Police have not identified
National LGBT Media dozens of parents of transgender sexual liberty.” the now-retired sergeant.
Association children who have voiced concern In response to the U.S.
about the prospect of Kacsmaryk Supreme Court decision in favor
Ecuador’s highest court
F
on the bench. of same-sex marriage nationwide,
louting the recognition of “I urge my colleagues to send Kacsmaryk said the ruling found approves same-sex marriage
June as Pride Month, the U.S. the message to those children, their an “unwritten” right under the Ecuador’s highest court authorized same-sex marriage
Senate approved a Trump parents, and the broader LGBTQ Fourteenth Amendment that was June 12 in a landmark case seeking to expand LGBTQ
judicial nominee on June 19 who community, and the country, that “a secret knowledge so cleverly rights in the small South American nation. The decision
has a long anti-LGBTQ record, they do count, that they count, concealed in the nineteenth century
including defense of Kim Davis for by the Constitutional Court came after a lengthy
that they matter, that we hear amendment that it took almost 150 legal battle waged by several couples and gay rights
refusing to give marriage licenses their voices, and please, reject this years to find.”
to same-sex couples. advocates. With the 5-to-4 ruling, Ecuador joins a
nominee,” Baldwin said. When Rowan County Clerk handful of Latin American nations—Argentina, Brazil,
The Senate confirmed Matthew Before his confirmation, Kim Davis refused to grant
Kacsmaryk to a seat on the U.S. Costa Rica, Colombia and Uruguay—that have legalized
Kacsmaryk served as deputy marriage licenses to same-sex
District Court for the Northern same-sex marriage either through judicial rulings, or
general counsel of the Texas-based couples, Kacsmaryk defended her,
District of Texas by a vote of 52-46. less frequently, legislative action. Same-sex unions
First Liberty Institute, an comparing her to Quakers who
Joining the united Democratic have been legal in Ecuador for a decade but civil
organization that seeks to advance refuse fight in war and Jewish
caucus in opposition to Kacsmaryk religious freedom even at the butchers who follow kosher partners enjoy fewer rights than married couples when
was Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), expense of LGBTQ rights. dietary laws. it comes to inheritance and estate laws.
who cited in a statement his
“alarming bias against the rights of
watermark Your LGBTQ life. June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com 13IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®
This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace (bik-TAR-vee)
talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.
MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY
BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including: BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:
} Worsening of Hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have } Those in the “Most Important Information About
both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if BIKTARVY” section.
you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY } Changes in your immune system. Your immune system
without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they may get stronger and begin to fight infections. Tell your
will need to check your health regularly for several months. healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after
you start taking BIKTARVY.
ABOUT BIKTARVY } Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare
BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription provider should do blood and urine tests to check your
kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems,
medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults. It can either be used in they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY.
people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people
who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose } Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which
healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements. is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to
death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these
BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual
that causes AIDS. muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach
Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet,
feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.
that contains:
} Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death.
} dofetilide Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these
} rifampin symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow,
} any other medicines to treat HIV-1 dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite
for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.
BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY } The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies
were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).
Tell your healthcare provider if you:
These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY.
} Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any
hepatitis infection. new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.
} Have any other health problems. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of
} Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch,
BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your
} Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.
breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.
HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines
you take: Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.
} Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter GET MORE INFORMATION
medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal
supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider } This is only a brief summary of important information about
and pharmacist. BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist
to learn more.
} BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other. Ask
your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines } Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5.
that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take } If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com
BIKTARVY with all your other medicines. for program information.
Get HIV support by downloading a free app at BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, KEEP CREATING, LOVE WHAT’S
INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.
MyDailyCharge.com Version date: December 2018 © 2019 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0103 02/19
14 watermark Your LGBTQ life.
BVYC0103_BIKTARVY_B_9-25x10-1_Watermark_KeepCreating_DR4_r1v1jl.indd All Pages
June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .come
es
KEEP
CREATING.
h,
r
Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.
ut
t
BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat
HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.
m Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you. To learn more,
visit BIKTARVY.com.
S
Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important
warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com.
watermark Your LGBTQ life. June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com 15
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16 watermark Your LGBTQ life. June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .comviewpoint
banned books by public was selected to be presented sheepish to pose. That being, those children who already
schools and libraries for five at Orlando Fringe as part of should gay persons really be exist and need our love?
years, but also went on to its “Fingers of the Future” bringing children into the If nature intended us to
became a national bestseller. initiative where it won world by whatever means be gay might it then actually
Roy, Silo, baby Tango and the multiple awards and was a possible rather than adopting? be going against nature to
absurdly abhorrent protests Patron’s Pick. It occurs to me that utilize science to achieve
by the Christian-right inspired I cried buckets of tears if we insist, and medical the offspring we cannot
a play for young audiences watching this production, science substantiates, that naturally conceive with the
penned by Emily Freeman
Michael Wanzie called “And Then Came Tango,”
which premiered during
If nature intended us to be gay might it then actually
THE WONDERFUL be going against nature to utilize science to achieve the
the 2011 Cohen New Works
Festival at The University of
Texas in Austin. offspring we cannot naturally conceive with the person
WORLD OF WANZIE we love?
But being Texas, the
reception for the play was
not exactly warm. The Austin
Independent School District partially due to the content of homosexuality is a naturally person we love?
said the play—which they had the play but more so because occurring state of being then I’m just asking.
not seen or read—dealt with I was so very proud of these might it not be by design Write to me with your
a subject matter that should outstanding students and that we are not intended to thoughts if you are inclined to.
Penguins, same-sex couples be discussed by parents with I was feeling fiercely proud sire children? Is there any In the meantime, if you have
and making babies their children at a time they
deem appropriate.
and fortunate to reside in
a community where these
possibility that homosexuality
is nature’s population control?
the opportunity to see “And
Then Came Tango” do yourself
D
The play fared no better students can and did present Perhaps instead of a favor and make it happen.
in California, where same-sex “And Then Came Tango,” and manipulating science to
o gay penguins marriage was very much were deservedly rewarded achieve a desired end through Michael Wanzie is a playwright
legal at the time, when the for doing so. surrogates and/or sperm and theatrical producer residing in
provide the example same-sex Orlando. You may subscribe to his
Mariposa County School Board As a result of all of donors for the purpose of
human couples should emulate voted overwhelmingly to this, I am left with the manufacturing a biological weekly WANZeGRAM performing arts
cancel a planned run of “And aforementioned question offspring we should instead & cultural e-newsletter by logging
when it comes to their desire to raise onto WANZIE.com
Then Came Tango” by one of of which I am admittedly welcome into our families
a child? its charter schools.
Rob Watson—a writer
It’s just a question to pose for which I have no clue as
for “The Next Family”—sent
to the answer. I am not being critical or taking a particular
a letter to the school board in
stance on the subject, I am but musing. In this column
which he wrote, “The family
I’m going to ask an indelicate question that is likely to
depicted in ‘And Then Came
raise the ire of same-sex couples who have enlisted the
Tango’ is mine. We are not
assistance of a surrogate to bring a child into the world or
penguins, and my sons were
who have borrowed a little sperm to get the job done.
not hatched, but aside from
I have a question that I simply wish to put out into the
those set-decorating changes,
ether to see what comes of it. But first, a little background
it is us … My sons, like other
on the real-life penguins and the play they inspired which
kids from differing family
got me to thinking about this question in the first place.
structures, fully grasp the
Apparently, as is sometimes the case with humans,
concept of mutual respect
heterosexual penguin pairs who mate and bring forth
between families. It is the
an egg sometimes abandon their offspring—or that is
principle where we listen to
to say, their egg—and show no interest in incubating
each other and find common
and caring for that which they have produced. And also
ground, not a focus on our
apparently, as is very often the case with humans, a loving
differences. It is a concept that
homosexual pairing of penguins can step in to care for
you have just voted down. It is
and nurture the unwanted life and help it to realize its full
a lesson you have yet to learn.”
potential as part of a loving family unit.
All over this country,
I barely recall the real-life incident that occurred at the
planned performances of “And
Central Park Zoo in 1998 when keepers there began to CENTURY 21
Then Came Tango” have been
document the mating rituals of two male penguins named David Dorman
repeatedly thwarted by the
Roy and Silo and their subsequent, shared, successful
influence wielded over school
incubation of an abandoned egg resulting in the birth
of baby chick Tango in 1999. I vaguely remember that
boards by the homophobic. 321-218-9100
Happily, for me and the many
this seemingly lovely occurrence sparked enormous
others who got to see a stellar
controversy at the time as the religious right came out
production of the play at
in their typical full nutty-mode force to demand that the
Orlando Fringe, this was not
zoo separate the male couple and restrain them from
incubating the egg because they believed this unholy
the case. Windermere High
CENTURY 21
David Dorman
School Thespian Troupe
alliance, which would help preserve life, was not as their
8483 not only was allowed to
God intended it.
present the play, but it won 2747 S. Maguire Rd., Ocoee, FL 34761
The incident inspired the book “And Tango Makes
honors in competition and 321-218-9100 • DavidDorman.com
Three,” which went on to the become one of the 10 most
watermark Your LGBTQ life. June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com 17Just a Little Prick
Just a Little
a member of
IfyouSex.org
JustaLittlePrick.org IfyouSex.org
18 watermark Your LGBTQ life. June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .comviewpoint
rioting at Stonewall that impact me. Honestly, my Nazi group request we What I can do is speak
there is a very real chance activist gut says I don’t raise the swastika for a out about local LGBTQ
that when we swear in a think there should be a self-proclaimed “white issues and lead by example,
new president in January problem with raising other power” month? Clearly the building what a truly
2021, he may turn and kiss flags representing other answers to these questions inclusive community looks
his husband? groups. The more inclusion are not easy ones. like here in Gulfport and in
At the end of the march the better. As we celebrate Pride St. Petersburg. If we all do
we raised the rainbow flag For example, a black and as we march in huge what we can, where we can,
over the library, which
Greg Stemm houses the LGBTQ Resource
Center. It’s prominently As we celebrate Pride and as we march in huge
positive livinG
located at the entrance to
our community’s historic parades like St Pete Pride, let us remember there are
waterfront district. You
would think in a town like other groups who are being marginalized in Donald
Gulfport, which prides
itself on its inclusivity, that
Trump’s America.
such a flag raising would be
without controversy—but it history flag hoisted above parades like St Pete Pride, we can make the underlying
Ruby slippers, Raising a Flag has prompted a discussion the library would make as let us remember there theme of acceptance for
and Serious Questions about our community’s
commitment to diversity at
much of a statement of our
community’s commitment
are other groups who are
being marginalized in
all that we demonstrate in
Pride a reality.
all levels. to diversity as the rainbow Donald Trump’s America.
I
Some Gulfport residents flag does for us. My only We can’t always address Greg Stemm is a 37 year resident of
recently had the who expressed support remaining concern is that discrimination and hate Pinellas County. He is a founder of
for us raising the rainbow what kind of policy do you at a huge national level, St Pete Pride and currently sits on
wonderful experience of flag over the library have put in place to say who but we can understand the board of the LGBTQ Resource
also expressed sentiments gets recognized and who and appreciate where our Center of the Gulfport Public
participating in the inaugural that Black History month, doesn’t? If we just have a own communities are and Library. He is an outspoken activist
on many issues including HIV/
Gulfport Friends of Dorothy march, Hispanic Heritage month, blanket policy of inclusion, what we can do no matter
AIDS education.
Native American History couldn’t the KKK or a Neo who we are.
celebrating the 50th anniversary month flags and more
of the Stonewall Riots. It began a should also be presented.
We are finding that any
month-long whirlwind of events conversation about this
sponsored by the award-winning inevitably leads to feeling
like we are marginalizing
LGBTQ Resource Center of the other people.
Gulfport Public Library, of which Dear reader, I got in
trouble with the editors of
I am privileged to serve on the Watermark because I didn’t
board of directors, to celebrate have that conversation
very effectively in my first
Pride season. draft of this perspective.
As I was marching up Beach Blvd. in a rainbow It’s a hard one to have and
wig, ruby slippers and with several hundred you may make mistakes
members of my Gulfport “family,” I couldn’t help but like I have. I know the
reflect on the significance of what Stonewall started easy way is for us to try
and what it has meant to the LGBTQ community in and ignore this, but it is an
the past 50 years. I was most moved by the fact that issue that is coming up in
the carriers of the lead banner were an openly gay various locations around
vice mayor and an openly gay state representative. the country—and we as
That would have been unthinkable in June of 1969. a community need to be
In fact, life for gay people in 1969 was mostly prepared to address it. My
about what we couldn’t do. We couldn’t openly concern is that there will be
teach school, practice law or a doctor. We couldn’t some elected officials who
openly serve in the military, adopt children or refuse to raise the rainbow
work for the federal government—and marriage flag at all because it’s just
was something we never thought we’d see in our too complicated to include
lifetimes. Remember, at the time homosexuality was other groups.
still illegal virtually everywhere in the country. It As the only man to
wouldn’t be until 1973 that the American Psychiatric serve on the steering OPEN DAILY
committee of the St. Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm
Association removed homosexuality from its list of Thursday 10am - 8pm
mental illnesses. We might have been Americans, but Pete Women’s March, Sunday 12pm - 5pm
in many respects we certainly weren’t free. I have some experience Contemporary Studio Glass from 1960s to present
The pace of change and acceptance for the LGBTQ in putting my Quaker
community has been nothing less than remarkable. values to work for equality
Can you imagine telling one of the drag queens even if it doesn’t directly
watermark Your LGBTQ life. June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com 19You can also read
