1
100
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https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/2f6f13de17b31f38bb88abbcd8bf342e.pdf
3fd21184a638b5ece8e29b4a043116aa
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
Watermark Collection
Alternative Title
The Watermark Collection
Subject
Gay culture--United States
Description
Since 1994, <em>The Watermark</em> has been the cornerstone source of LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) centered news for the Central Florida region. Founded by Tom Dyer in Orlando, the publication began generating bi-weekly issues beginning August 31, 1994. Since then, <em>The Watermark</em> has consistently published newspaper style issues every other Thursday. Gaining traction, the publication expanded in 1995 to include Tampa and, in 1997, <em>The Watermark</em> became a permanent piece of LGBTQ+ culture when the publication initiated the first large-scale Gay Days Weekend event, the Beach Ball at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Before 1999, the publication printed 20,000 copies every week, distributing them to over 500 locations between its two major cities. Following 1999, the publication launched watermarkonline.com shifting to an online publication style. In 2016, Rick Claggett purchased <em>The Watermark</em>.
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/" target="_blank">RICHES Program</a>
Type
Collection
Contributing Project
<a href="http://www.floridalgbtqmuseum.org/%20" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>
<a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/">The Watermark</a>
Curator
Smith, Robert
Cepero, Laura
O'Neal, Rhiannon
Hearn, Nikki
Greene, Quintella
Rodriguez, Sharon
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="http://www.floridalgbtqmuseum.org/%20" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>
External Reference
"<a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/aboutcontact/" target="_blank">About/Contact</a>." WatermarkOnline.com, accessed July 11, 2016. http://www.watermarkonline.com/aboutcontact/.
Document
A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
The Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 1, August 31, 1994
Alternative Title
Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 1
Subject
Gay culture--United States
Description
The inaugural issue of <em>The Watermark</em> was published on August 31, 1994, and focused on several hot topics that were abuzz in the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) community. Hit topics included the cover story interviewing <em>Married… With Children</em> co-star Amanda Bearse (b. 1958) who was promoting her new special <em>Out There II</em>, an all LGBTQ+ comedy special. Similar topics of LGBTQ+ public exposure are scattered throughout the issue, including Fran Pigone, a pro-LGBTQ candidate for Orange County Commission Chairman, "Florida’s Freshest Fruit," an all LGBTQ improv troupe, and Brian Fagan, a gay man and one of Orlando’s premier runners. This first issue also included national LGBTQ+ news stories such as California’s Spousal Rights Bill, Yale’s same-sex partner health care plans, and Maine’s anti-gay initiatives. Another major component of the issue was discussion about Orlando’s LGBTQ+ nightlife locations and opportunities. In this issue, it was discussed that Tracks, a prominent bar had closed, and that Boxcars had opened in its place. Boxcars subsequently published a full page ad on the final page of the issue.<br /><br />Since 1994, <em>The Watermark</em> has been the cornerstone source of LGBTQ+ centered news for the Central Florida region. Founded by Tom Dyer in Orlando, the publication began generating bi-weekly issues beginning August 31, 1994. Since then, <em>The Watermark</em> has consistently published newspaper-style issues every other Thursday. Gaining traction, the publication expanded in 1995 to include Tampa and, in 1997, <em>The Watermark</em> became a permanent piece of LGBTQ+ culture when the publication initiated the first large-scale Gay Days Weekend event, the Beach Ball at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Before 1999, the publication printed 20,000 copies every week, distributing them to over 500 locations between its two major cities. Following 1999, the publication launched watermarkonline.com shifting to an online publication style. In 2016, Rick Claggett purchased <em>The Watermark</em>.
Type
Text
Source
Original 24-page newspaper: <a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank"><em>The Watermark</em></a>, Vol. 1, No. 1, August 31, 1994: Publications Collection, <a href="http://glbthistorymuseum.com/joomla25/index.php?lang=en" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>, Orlando, Florida.
Requires
<a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/reader.html" target="_blank">Adobe Acrobat Reader</a>
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/203" target="_blank">The Watermark Collection</a>, RICHES of Central Florida.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original 24-page newspaper: <a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank"><em>The Watermark</em></a>, Vol. 1, No. 1, August 31, 1994.
Coverage
Orlando, Florida
Winter Park, Florida
Augusta, Maine
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
Sacramento, California
Boxcars, Casselberry, Florida
Creator
Bach, R. A.
Dyer, Tom
Fowler, G. K.
Kilgore, Michael L.
Liebman, Marvin
Maines, Ted
O'Lay, Lola
Schultz, Nan
Sheldon, Laurence
Singhaus, Sam
Publisher
<a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank">Watermark Media</a>
Date Created
ca. 1994-08-31
Date Issued
1994-08-31
Date Copyrighted
1994-08-31
Format
application/pdf
Medium
24-page newspaper
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Provenance
Originally published by <a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank">Watermark Media</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank">Watermark Publishing Group</a> and is provided here by <a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank">RICHES of Central Florida</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
<a href="http://glbthistorymuseum.com/joomla25/index.php?lang=en" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>
Curator
Smith, Robert
Cepero, Laura
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="http://glbthistorymuseum.com/joomla25/index.php?lang=en" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>
External Reference
"<a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/aboutcontact/" target="_blank">About/Contact</a>." WatermarkOnline.com, accessed July 11, 2016. http://www.watermarkonline.com/aboutcontact/.
Transcript
FLORIDA'S DISTINCTIVE GAY AND LESBIAN PUBLICATION.
VOLUME 1, NUMBER 1 AUGUST 31,1994
AMANDA’S OUT THERE!
Amanda Bearse is well known as the flighty, flaky Marcy D’Arcy on TV’s Married.. .With Children. Many also know that she’s very comfortably out as a lesbian. In the past she has stated, “I feel no shame about being a homosexual. I live my life in the light. The more we stand up and be counted, the harder it will be to discount our community. We need to put a face on gay America.” She was an active participant in this summer’s gay pride festivities in New York, and she will host Comedy Central’s upcoming gay and lesbian comedy special.
Many don’t know, however, that Amanda grew up right here in Central Florida, attending Winter Park High School and acting at the Central Florida Civic Theater. Her sister still lives in Winter Park. In conversation, Amanda is funny, upbeat, intelligent, articulate, and clearly committed to gay equality. Her comedy special, “Out There II”, will begin airing on Comedy Central on National Coming Out Day, October 11.
Would you talk a little about your role in the television series Married...with Children?
We’re starting our ninth season. Doing a show for 8 years, all of the characters have evolved in different directions. All of the women on the show are portrayed as sort of overly sexed, aggressive “types”. Our show isn’t something you could call positive when it comes to female role models, but then I don’t know that it’s positive about male role models either (laughs). Everybody has their faults...[they are] very visible to the audience at home...and that’s where we try to get the comedy from.
What about Marcy?
My character is probably the most polar opposite from the lead character A1 Bundy and that makes for a lot of good conflict; we just have to find excuses for us to be in the same room at the same time. I like Marcy very much [although] we’re not really that much alike. We have the same eye color (laughing)...and the same legs, which they make fun of, usually on a weekly basis!
What about the future of Mar?
I’ll be with the show as long as they’ll have me. I plan on going down with the ship. [Not only] because it’s been a great job, but also because of the group of people I’ve been working with. It’s really sort of a family situation and I’m not quick to say goodbye to those folks. Although I do hope there’s life after Married with Children.
Since you came out publicly, what has been the response of other cast members?
We know each other very well...and the cast knew that I was gay before I made that sort of “professional” political statement last year. They were very supportive of the fact
interviewed by Nan Schultz
that I did what I did by making such a public statement. That support continues to this day.
What about being out in your personal life?
I’ve been out of the closet for many, many year s, and as people come to know me, they come to know that about me. It’s not something that I wear as a badge or on my sleeve or anything. It’s definitely a part of who I am, [although] it’s not all of who I am. It’s more like a one-on-one relationship that I have with people. As you make new friends, you get
AMANDA BEARSE HOSTS COMEDY CENTRAL’S SECOND ALL GAY AND LESBIAN COMEDY SPECIAL, “OUT THERE II”, DEBUTING OCTOBER 11.
to know one another, and certainly that’s something to know about me.
Do you feel that shows like “Out There II” are good public relations for gays and lesbians?
Well, most definitely, but it’s not limited to that. That’s what was so wonderful about the success of the first one,
“Out There”. Yes, it was a gay lineup of talent, both men and women, and a lot of their material is oriented toward the fact that these are gay people, but they had great success in crossing over into the heterosexual audience. Comedy Central had great response to that show both from a gay and a straight audience
So, is it important in some larger context?
Yes, I think it’s important first of all to put more faces to the gay community because the more of us who are visible and out there, the harder it is to sort of pass us by. Gay people are really good at being invisible and what our movement is about is putting that visibility out there so that we cannot be discriminated against. It’s easier to discriminate against something you don’t Know. So, I think in that way, to show that these are people who are talented, who are funny, who are working professionally, and who are successful at what they do, [and] who also happen to be gay, I think it’s an important statement to make.
I understand you’re going to host the show.
Yes, we taped the show at the Stonewall celebration in New York City this summer. It went very well; it was an exciting week to be in New York and be a part of the Gay Games, as well as the Stonewall event. They deliberately chose that venue to tape this special. The first “Out There” was taped on National Coming Out Day in San Francisco and shown later, so it’s nice that this one will be aired for the first time on Coming Out Day.
You also participated at the Gay Games this summer. How did that feel?
I was very busy with the work that I was doing for “Out There II” so I didn’t get to go to any of the sporting events. But I did get to participate in the closing ceremonies at Yankee Stadium. I got to walk out onto the field at Yankee Stadium all by myself. It was awesome to look up at the thousands and thousands of people, mostly gay, and have them respond to me because of who I am and what I’ve done.
And the Stonewall activities?
I marched and I got to be onstage at the rally. I hosted an hour at the grandstand in Central Park. Just to look out over all those people...unified with one purpose. To say simply, “Yes. We’re here. Don’t count us out.” It was a very powerful experience.
You graduated from Winter Park High School. What impressions do you still carry from there?
I had a wonderful childhood growing up in Winter Park. It was a wonderful place to grow up...a very safe place for me so I have a lot of good memories. The strongest one in terms of high school is that I really got a lot of direction in my life from one of my teachers there, a woman by the name
Continued Page 3
WATERMARK / August 31, 1994 2
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NEWS
FRAN PIGNONE TELLS US WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT
by Tom Dyer
Talking with Fran Pignone is like playing a good video game. Both are stimulating, unpredictable, and difficult to quit. She has intelligent, often unexpected opinions, expressed with none of the conversational reticence endemic to politicians.
Fran Pignone wants to be Orange County’s next Chairman; responsible for 8000 employees and a $2 billion budget. She faces an uphill battle against incumbent Linda Chapin, who has raised twice the money and is spending it as the election draws closer. But Pignone has adopted a bold “take me as I am” approach to the election, Preferring to lure voters with her candor rather than tiptoeing through the campaign mine field without setting off any voting blocks.
Pignone is outspoken in her belief that the present county administration has attended to growth and development while neglecting quality of life issues. A longtime Orange County resident, she asserts that, “Since I’ve been a child, two things have always been left behind; the declining school system and the lack of a rich cultural life.” She’s quick to point out the paradox. “The
stellar landmarks for attracting new business to a community are the quality of your education system and the quality of your cultural richness.”
Pignone is also outspoken about the loss of our symphony. “It takes political leadership. I was one of the few who voted for that last $50,000 to try and keep the symphony alive because I knew intuitively that its easier to try and keep something alive than to recreate it.” She also faults present local government for not addressing the issue of a performing arts center. “I’ve been in Bob Carr when the sound was so distorted that it was a worthless experience.”
She faults current leaders for not sufficiently tapping some conspicuous local revenue sources; Orlando’s mega-tourist destinations. “We’re like a third world country. The conquerors have arrived to extract the riches, then they go home. Disney, Universal, Anheuser Busch...they make their money here, but none of them have their headquarters here. Each provides enormous support for the arts in what they perceive as their home community.”
Inevitably, Pignone has run into a few
mines during the course of her high energy campaign. Pignone has been criticized by many for her support of the gay and lesbian community and participation in June’s Gay Pride Parade. According to Pignone, some of this criticism has come from her peers on the county commission.
But Pignone firmly asserts that, “Political campaigns ought to be about what’s going on in the community. And among other things, government ought to be about access and diversity.”
Pignone’s opinions are often punctuated by personal experience. “I’ll tell you what I found to be the most extraordinary thing. Last summer my son and I were at a museum in New York on a Sunday and we ran into their Gay Pride Parade. We stayed there on the sidewalk absolutely spellbound for three full hours. I’ve never seen such an enormous diversity ©f people and such a tremendous feeling of good will, among the paraders, the police, the spectators. I was absolutely transfixed.”
When asked whether politicians had been present, Pignone nods. “Yes. Every candidate and elected official was walking in the parade, and probably would have been considered somehow derelict in their duties if they didn’t. Quite different from what people in Orange County apparently expect.”
Refreshingly, few of Pignone’s opinions are restricted to sound bytes. “Some in our community try to preach a certain moral and ethic, while at the same time the whole community is changing. These people want to keep their blinders on. We say out of one side of our mouth, ‘Move here.. .come here and have your vacation.. .all of you of every culture, race and experience’...and these people would say, ’Come here but only be a certain kind of person.’”
It is rare that a politician and elected official in Central Florida openly accesses the gay and lesbian community. But Pignone is clearly not campaigning on this issue; she is simply being true to her value system. “I mean it sincerely. Regardless of how the election turns out, I don’t want to look back at my life and say, ‘Gee.. .these folks asked me to do something and the first thing I thought about was my political future, and not what it felt like or whether it was congruent with who I am.’”
Note: Watermark requested an interview with all candidates for County Chairman prior to the September 8 primary election. Linda Chapin declined, citing scheduling difficulties. Tom Dorman did not respond to our request.
TONY CHILDRESS & ROCKY WARD SPEAK WITH REPORTERS
MARRIAGE
APPLICATION
REFUSED
On any given day, dozens of couples apply fora marriage license, and hence, a change in their legal status. They become presumed heirs and guardians. They can file taxes as a unit. They gain access to insurance coverage. And perhaps most importantly, their love is made legitimate.
On August 12,1994, Rocky Ward and Tony Childress sought this status for their committed relationship. Accompanied by TV and radio news crews, they walked up to the county clerk’s office and asked to apply for a marriage license. A clerk directed them to another clerk, this one with an office, who referred them to Florida Statute 741.041. “No clerk of the circuit court shall issue a license for marriage unless.. .one party is a male and the other party a female.”
Ward and Childress are the third same sex couple to apply for a marriage license in Orange County. Like one female couple before them, they have decided to challenge this statute. The American Civil Liberties Union is representing both couples.
Ward and his companion took this step because, “every individual should have access to the same benefits as citizens. Tony and I are as much a couple as most men and women who get married.” After widespread news coverage, Ward says, “We’ve received all kinds of cards and letters of support” One threatening caller also left this message: “You fucking faggots deserve to die just like the abortion doctor.” Ward and Childress have notified law enforcement.
AMANDA BEARSE
Front Page 1
my life from one of my teachers there, a woman by the name of Ann Derflinger. She passed away in the early 80’s at far too young an age...she was only 44. She was the director of the theater department, and she was one of the strongest mentors I had in my life.
So you began your association with acting and theatre at Winter Park High?
I was immersed in the theatre department, which was a very safe place for someone like me. You can be who you are. You can be different and you can be creativeand there doesn’t seem to be the judgement that can accompany other cliques, other circles. However, I did have friends outside of the theater department. My brother was a “surf rat”, so I knew a lot of the beach-types. Plus I grew up, in Winter Park, so I went to elementary and junior high with all the same people.
Did you identify yourself as gay while you were there?
No, I wasn’t out of the closet. I mean those terms weren’t even defined then. As far as I knew, I was the only gay woman anywhere. At some point in time, I started sleeping with other women. Even then you still sort of feel like you’re very much alone in it. I identified myself in terms of what was inside myself...my own feelings. It was a part of me that I was already beginning to
explore. I also explored dating boys, and I knew there was something else going on...something beyond that for me.
So what effect did being gay have on your personal life, your social life?
Well, I didn’t go to Winter Park’s Prom! I didn’t do a lot of the, I guess “traditional” things one might do. My time was occupied by doing theater. Not only did I do the theaterat the high school, but also I worked at the Central Florida Civic Theater, the Edyth Bush Theater. I was very active in that direction. I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything, my life was very full. But I felt like I was doing something subversive, something that wasn’t going to be generally accepted, so I was closeted.
But my first job out of acting school was on ’’All My Children”. I played a high school kid...a very straight high school kid, so I got to go to the Prom in Pine Valley! I got to date boys...that sort of thing so, I sort of made up for it.
What about your current relationship to Central Florida?
Well, I still have strong ties to that community because my sister lives in Orlando. I actually spent a couple of weeks down there this summer with her and her family. I brought my daughter and we just had a nice, easy time. We did Park Avenue, and hung out at Cocoa Beach .
In closing, could you tell us a little about the recent adoption of your child?
Zoe, my daughter, is now 16 months old.
I have always been somewhat ambivalent about carrying a child. Some women know biologically, physiologically, that this is something they want to do with their bodies in this lifetime. I’ve gone back and forth about it. The fact that I’m the wage-earner in my family also factored into this. You never know how you’re going to feel with a pregnancy. If I had to go to bed for three months, it would certainly affect my job, my income. Doing what I do for a living it’s so very public. And being lesbian... it was just too precious of an event to have it exposed in that way.
And so you began looking into adoption?
The more I read, the more seminars I attended, the morespiritually “right” this decision became for me. I knew that if and when I made a match with the birth parent, this was going to be the child I was supposed to raise. I’m very providential that way. I did make a match with a young woman who was in her sixth month of pregnancy. We had the opportunity to make a connection which we hold onto to this day. Despite the fact that we live in different states and her life is hers, there’s still a very strong bond...one that I don’t think will ever go away. I hope that my daughter has the opportunity to know this woman and her family because it’s a wonderful heritage.
That’s terrific!
Yeah! I think it’s important for a child to know who they look like and where they come from. It was a highly emotional ex-
perience...I’m sure a very difficult decision for this young woman...to place her child [for adoption]. But she had the maturity to know that she wasn’t ready to parent at this time in her life. She said to me that she definitely wants to be a parent some day. I think she feels very good about the home, the family, that Zoe has. Life is good; life is really good. I feel very lucky.
WATERMARK / August 31,1994 4
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ORLANDO LESBIAN REGAINS CUSTODY OF CHILDREN
An Alabama judge has ruled that three children would be better off in the stable Orlando home of their lesbian mother than in the troubled and sometimes abusive home of their heterosexual father. Family Court Judge Sandra Ross, citing the lack of expert evidence on such cases, awarded custody of the children to Gretchen Chateau even though she lost custody six years ago because she physically abused them.
Fred Chateau said he never expected a judge to put the children with his ex-wife since she openly lives with another woman. “Judge Ross has sent a message to my children that homosexuality is OK,” Chateau said. “Two young girls going into puberty and putting them with two lesbians in a gay neighborhood. Is that smart?”
Ms. Chateau admitted she thought her chances were “pretty slim.” “My main concern was they are three very bright, intelligent kids who deserve to be cultivated for their adult life and that’s not going to happen with my ex-husband,” she said. Ms. Chateau’s ex-husband conceded that other than her lifestyle, which he disapproves of, she has overcome her past problems and become a good and stable person.
He also admitted having used harsh discipline in the past, that the house had been disheveled and had little furniture, and that two of the children slept on the floor. The children - a 9-year-old boy and girls 12 and 14 - had been living in Chateau’s home near Columbiana, 20 miles south of Birmingham, until the judge ruled in May. All three children testified they wanted to live with their mother.
DISNEY WINS AIDS CONFIDENTIALITY CASE
An Orange County Judge has rejected a former Disney employee’s claim that his supervisors violated Florida law by disclosing his AIDS status. The former Disney employee, listed as John Doe, alleged that he informed his supervisor of his medical status to facilitate absences from work. Doe claimed that his supervisor then disclosed his medical condition to others, worsening his medical condition and forcing him to quit his job.
Circuit Court Judge Gary L. Formet found that, if anything, Doe’s supervisor only confirmed suspicions already held by fellow employees. “Because it is commonly known that the plaintiff was a gay male, a number of witnesses speculated he had AIDS after he took medical leave.” Formet ruled that Florida Statute 760.50, which requires confidentiality of employee medical records and information, is not applicable “when that information is given to [the employer] by [the employee] for reasons other than administration of health and life insurance benefits.”
Doe’s attorney, Jonathan Holingshead, feels this construction of the statute is unfortunate. “The kind of disclosure alleged in this case is exactly what the legislature hoped to prevent. Employees with AIDS should not be afraid to share this information with their employer for fear that it will be gossiped about.”
HOPE & HELP OPENS NEW CENTER
The Hope & Help Center dedicated their new Winter Park facility on Sunday, August 14. Winter Park Mayor Gary Brewer was among hundreds, including new neighbors, who welcomed the AIDS resource center to its suburban location. Located off Lakemont Avenue near Winter Park High School, the new center doubles their available space.
According to development director Michael Fuchs, Hope & Help needed more room. “We’ve grown from 7 employees when we moved downtown, to 23 employees now.”
Hope & Help has an annual operating budget of approximately $ l million.
Hope & Help’s major fund raising event, the outrageous, elegant, and wildly popular “Headdress Ball”, will be held Saturday, September 17 at the Hilton Walt Disney World Village. For tickets call (407) 645-2577.
ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES AT GLCS
The Board of Directors at Gay and Lesbian Community Services has created a new administrative position, appointing Bart R. Zarcone as Center Director. Mr. Zarcone will have overall responsibility for management of the GLCS Center. Lyle Miller will continue as Office Manager.
GLCS is also reconvening a young adults group for gays, lesbians and bisexuals between the ages of 18 and 25. Called the “Rainbow Connection”, this group will begin Thursday meetings on September 8th at 7:30 PM.
Jeffrey A. Miller
Attorney at law
Personal Injury Litigation
Congratulations to Watermark on Your Premier Issue
25 SOUTH MAGNOLIA AVENUE • POST OFFICE BOX 552 • ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32802 TELEPHONE (407) 872 -1610 TELECOPIER (407) 422 - 0998
CANDIDATES IN PRIMARY ELECTION SUPPORT GAY ISSUES
do not deserve die same civil rights as Pickman (D) - State House Dist. 35;
everyone else and I will do whatever I Linda Chapin - County Chairman; Fran
Florida House Dis
The primary election will be held on Thursday, September 8 this year to avoid conflicts with a late Labor Day weekend. Several candidates warrant special attention by the gay and lesbian community.
In the race for Governor, Republican candidates Jeb Bush, Ken Connor, and most notably, Ander Crenshaw, have each made statements suggesting a lack of support for gay and lesbian issues. One of many “Family Values” candidates in this election, Crenshaw has specifically stated, “Homosexuals
Pigrione - County Chairman; Thomas Tempia - Orange County Commission Dist. 4; Mable Butler - Orange County Commission Dist. 6; Roger McDonald - Circuit Judge Group 28; Deborah B lechman - County Judge Group 5.
Five of these candidates warrant rec-ognition for their consistent and outspoken support of gay and lesbian equality.
ban to stop them.” trict 35 candidate Bob Brooks, Republican, is also suspect.
In varying degrees, however, the following candidates have expressed or demonstrated support for lesbians and gays: Lawton Chiles (D) - Governor (see article at right); Art Simon (D) - Comptroller; Karen Gievers (D) - Insurance Commissioner; Doug Jamerson (D) -Education Commissioner, Gary Siegel (R) - State Senate Dist. 14; Susan
Karen Gievers
Insurance Commissioner
Roger McDonald
Circuit Judge Group 28
Susan Pickman
State House Districe 35
Deborah Blechman
County Judge Group 5
Look At The Company We Keep !!
Drs, Goodgame &. Hopkins
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340 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland. Fl. 32751
(407) 647-6000
GOVERNOR
PLEDGES
NON-DISCRIMINATION
Governor Lawton Chiles has agreed, in writing, to a Rainbow Democratic Club Candidate’s Pledge reading: sexual
orientation of an individual shall not be a consideration in hiring, promoting, or terminating of an employee in my elected office, and shall be so stated in my personnel policies and procedures. ”
All Candidates for public office in Orange County are being asked to sign the pledge, regardless of the contested position. To date, all Democratic candidates for the Cabinet, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, State Senate and House have signed, with the exception of State Representatives Bob Sindler and Alzo Reddick, and Bill Nelson, candidate for Insurance Commissioner.
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WATERMARK / August 31, 1994 6
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS
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MAINE ANTI-GAY INITIATIVE ADVANCES
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Leaders of a referendum drive to ban protections for gays under Maine human rights laws turned in petitions Monday which they said will ensure their proposal will go to a statewide vote next year.
Leaders of the petition drive submitted 10 cartons containing nearly 66,502 voters’ signatures - nearly 62,000 of them already certified by municipal officials - to the Secretary of State’s office. At least 52,308 signatures must be certified in order to force a statewide vote in November 1995.
“Shall a wealthy special interest group achieve the status and benefits equal to those of legitimate, needy, civil rights classes?” Concerned Maine Families leader Carolyn H. T. Cosby said. “Shall we... literally rewrite the civil rights code in our nation to now include self-proclaimed groups that can only be identified by their mere say-so?”
The proposal would restrict the classifications of people who can be protected by state and local anti-discrimination laws. People could be protected on the basis of race, color, sex, disabilities, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, family and marital status. But no protections on the basis of sexual orientation would be permitted. Passage would scuttle Portland’s gay rights ordinance.
The Legislature last year sent a gay rights bill to Gov. John R. McKernan, but he vetoed it.
CALIFORNIA SPOUSAL RIGHTS BILL PASSES SENATE
SACRAMENTO (AP) - A bill to give unmarried couples some of the same rights as spouses is one step from the governor’s desk after conservative lawmakers failed to bottle it up in the Senate. Final approval by the Assembly, which passed an earlier version of the legislation in May, will send the bill to Gov. Pete Wilson.
The bill would give unmarried “domestic partners” who registered with the state the right to visit their partners in the hospital and would make it easier for them to be selected as a conservator for an incapacitated partner. To register with the state, domestic partners would have to maintain a common primary residence, agree to share basic living expenses, not be married or related by blood in a way that would prevent them from marrying and be over age 18. Also, they could not have been a member of another domestic partnership in the previous six months unless that relationship ended with the death of the other member.
YALE OFFERS HEALTH CARE TO SAME SEX PARTNERS
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - Yale University is offering health care coverage to same-sex domestic partners of graduate and professional students. Yale extended full spousal health benefits to partners of gay and lesbian faculty members, administrators and managerial staff in October. Those interested must show evidence of joint residence and economic interdependence.
Other universities offering health coverage to same-sex partners of graduate students include Stanford University, the University of Chicago, the University of Iowa and the University of Oregon. More companies are offering benefits to gay employees and their partners because fear of high costs have proved largely unfounded, and it gives some companies another edge in the recruiting game.
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WATERMARK / August 31, 1994 8
HEALTH & HIV NEWS
LOCAL PHYSICIANS REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE
b; Laurence Sheldon
Contrary to reports of doom and gloom coming from the Tenth International Conference on AIDS, there are some promising therapies now in place, and others being presently pursued are worth noting. Dr. Jeff Goodgame attended the conference in Japan and presented news and findings to an enthusiastic audience at the Radisson Plaza Hotel Orlando on Thursday, August 25.
At the conference, noted French researcher, Dr. Luc Montagnier, advanced a global therapeutic approach in which antivirals, antibiotics, antioxidants, and vaccines involving Interluken 2 are all ap-plied simultaneously to curb HIV replication. Along with Dr. Lynn Hopkins, Dr. Goodgame also reported that new antiviral drug strategies are being created to overcome the problems of drug resistance. One of these strategies is a class of drugs called Protease Inhibitors, which attempt to stop viral replication within cells.
Dr. Hopkins described some of the new therapies that are constantly being studied and examined. The most promising include gene therapy, which seeks to create a gene that would interrupt viral replication, and immune based therapy using Interluken 2 (and potentially 12).
Dr. Eileen Wright presented an explanation of psycho-neuro-immunology. She gave numerous examples of case studies involving mind-body interactions. This particular field of medicine originated thousands of years ago, and is based on the theory that thoughts, emotions, and the central nervous system are intrinsically linked.
Looking to the future, Dr. Goodgame described three major challenges: 1) curb the alarming spread of AIDS in the third world; 2) prioritize and expand research; and 3) provide the best possible care and treatment for HIV patients. According to Dr. Goodgame, about 4 million people worldwide have developed full blown AIDS in the last 10 years. 3000 women are infected each day by HIV; tragic proof that AIDS has never been confined to specific populations.
Drs. Goodgame and Hopkins are currently involved with 11 clinical studies and have 4 more pending necessary approvals. Any HIV infected man or woman interested in participating in one of these clinical trials is urged to contact their Maitland office at (407) 647-6000.
HALF WITH HIV GET NO TREATMENT
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - A study believed to be the first of its kind in California found that more than half the people in Santa Clara County with the AIDS virus don’t receive any treatment. “They don’t necessarily know they’re infected,” said Dr. Marty Fenstersheib, the county’s acting health officer. “They may be spreading the illness and not know it.”
The study by the county public health department estimated that 4,100 residents have the human immunodeficiency virus but that as many as 2,500 aren’t being treated. Health officials, who released the survey results on Thursday, called for an education program to fight the spread of AIDS.
The survey also found that HIV infections are increasing the fastest among blacks and that the percentage of women with the virus also has increased. The department’s survey was conducted at 29 hospitals and
clinics that reported AIDS cases over the past two years.
MINERAL MAY PLAY ROLE IN DEVELOPMENT OF AIDS
ATLANTA (AP) - University of Georgia researchers published a theory in Friday’s Journal of Medicinal Chemistry suggesting that HIV produces proteins that consume the body’s supply of selenium. Although the proteins have yet to be found, scientists are trying to prove their existence.
According to the researchers’ theory, HIV needs selenium, which preserves the elasticity of body tissue and slows the aging process, to trigger its growth. Once the virus exhausts
the selenium in an infected cell, it breaks out in search of more, spreading the infection to new cells. Many AIDS patients lack selenium and have taken supplements on their own. For several years, a number of researchers and doctors have encouraged selenium as part of the patients’ dietary supplement.
It was thought that AIDS patients had trouble absorbing the nutrient from food, but the new work suggests the disease actually depletes the mineral from the body. “If this is true, then selenium biochemistry may be the key to understanding the control of the life cycle of HIV and perhaps some of the pathology of AIDS,” said Will Taylor, who headed the research team at Georgia College of Pharmacy. He said the length of time it takes to deplete the body’s stores of selenium could help account for HIV’s latency period, which can last for years. “This suggests that nutritional status may be a factor in some HIVpositive long-term survivors,” Taylor said.
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WATERMARK / August 31,1994 9
BUSINESS
TRACKS DERAILS — BOXCARS OPENS
If it seems like gay bars in Orlando open and close like railroad crossing bars, August was no exception. In early August, Tracks on Lee Road in Winter Park ceased operations. The venerable Tampa bar hoped to reproduce their success in what was perceived as a similar market. That was not the case, according to Operations Manager, Barry Barlow. “In Tampa, the bars network and work together to benefit each other and the community, too,” said Barlow. “Orlando was a completely different world.” Barlow has alleged that competing bars such as The Club, The Edge and Southern Nights authorized removal of Tracks’ advertising from publications distributed at their locations.
Barlow also thinks Orlando has a more conservative climate than Tampa. He cited difficulties using the words “gay and lesbian” in advertising, and speculated that gays in Orlando were unused to going to a bar not “hidden away or in some sleazy part of town.”
Barlow stated that, “No one in Orlando wanted to work with me, but I learned some
things while I was there. I thought your Pride Parade was great, even though almost none of your local politicians participated.” Meanwhile, Boxcars opened on August 12 in Fern Park, across from the Jai Alai fronton. The grand opening is scheduled for Labor Day weekend. Boxcars is located in
the unique railroad car building that housed two gay bars in the 70s and 80s, Old Plantation and then Central Station.
Owner Chris Dahn, who is gay, stated that it has long been his dream to open a gay bar in greater Orlando, particularly on the north side of town. Dahn is from Indiana, but he was stationed at the Naval Training Center in the early 80s and has wanted to relocate here ever since.
Dahn hopes to fill a void with Boxcars. “I think people in Orlando want to dance and be entertained, but they also want to sit, relax, talk and hear each other,” he Says. For that reason, Boxcars sound and light system will be focused primarily on the dance floor. Dahn states that Boxcars welcomes both lesbians and gay men.
PRUDENTIAL CHAIRMAN TAKES STAND AGAINST DISCRIMINATION
Robert C. Winters, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Prudential, has taken a bold stand against discrimination based on sexual orientation. In a letter to all Prudential associates, dated June 30, 1994, Winters stated:
“The Prudential’s policy of nondiscrimi-
nation has included sexual orientation for some time, but recent letters to the Leader (Prudential’s in-house newsletter) suggest that a reiteration of this policy is necessary.
The Prudential is committed to fostering an environment which encourages all individuals to contribute and grow to their fullest potential. It is therefore of utmost importance to show respect toward all associates and to treat them fairly.
Please read our policy statement.. .carefully. All associates have the right to a work environment that is free of any kind of discrimination. Discrimination based on sexual orientation will not be tolerated at The Prudential in any form or at any rank.”
MBA PLANS FUTURE GROWTH. ERIN SOMERS SPEAKS.
At their annual retreat in August, board members for the Metropolitan Business Association made plans for more activities and increased membership. According to President Debbie Simmons, MBA has 172 members and hopes to break the 200 barrier during 1995. Plans also call for MBA to expand their annual business expo in February, to be held this year at the Bahia Shrine Auditorium in Maitland.
Following the success of their Flirtations concert and Rob Eichberg program, MBA will also feature more nationally known speakers and special events in the coming
year. Speaking September 1 at 6:30 PM at the Radisson will be Erin Somers, host of “Passion Phones” on 104.1 FM. Dr. Mel White, former religious right ghostwriter and author of Stranger At The Gate: To be Gay and Christian In America, has been contacted for an upcoming speaking appearance. President Debbie Simmons and Program Director Tom Dyer recently met with Mayor Glenda Hood, and she has also promised to address MBA in the future. A concert and lawn party have been proposed for the Spring.
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WATERMARK / August 31,1994 10
VIEWPOINT
WINNING:
THE GREAT AMERICAN PASTIME
by Michael L Kilgore
iBl * • w
Chicago cubs fans are walking by the open window where I write. From the roars I’d heard over the past few hours and now from the animated cadence of their conversations, I gather it was one of those rare events in Wrigleyville — a Cubs win. Winning is an American passion. Almost all of us grow up believing that if we don’t overcome someone or something that somehow we’re the less for it. As the fans pass by reliving the day’s victory, my thoughts drift back to last night’s speeches and other conversations about winning.
I’d attended the Human Rights Campaign Fund dinner the evening before. The front cover of the program read, the People: A promise not yet fulfilled. ” while the back cover announced in graphic red, white and blue, “Because fighting for the rights of all people is a battle, we can, will, and must WIN.’’ In addition to the hundreds of thousands already raised in ticket sales, there is a special appeal to raise extra funds. We must defeat the anti-gay initiatives on the ballots this year in Oregon and Idaho. Everyone at my table takes out his or her checkbook. The smallest check I see passed to the table captain is for $100. An addi-
tional $1,500 is raised at our table alone. There are ninety-six tables. We know our fundamental rights as American citizens, perhaps even our lives, are threatened because of who we are. We’ve got to win.
The words of Dr. Mel White, author of Stranger at the Gate: To be Gay and Christian in America and former ghostwriter for Radical Right heavyweights Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, punctuate the evening. He’s telling us about standing outside a convention hall in Texas just a few weeks before. It’s a gathering of the so-called Christian Coalition, the American Family Association, and other assorted hatemongers who are also intent on winning. Their agenda is one which explicitly rejects gays and lesbians, “There will be much rejoicing in heaven when America no longer tolerates the presence of gay men and women.”
The convention hall setting he describes is a place where only a few years ago Dr. White would have been a welcome participant. Now out as an openly gay man, not only is he not welcome, but he’s physically threatened. A man shoved his finger in White’s face and screamed, “Where are you going to live, when we win?” The words
are chilling. They have their effect. We write more checks, and get out our charge cards. The silent auction is a huge success. Many items are going for significantly more than their retail value. An Art Modeme vase listed for $350 closes at $525. There are over two hundred silent auction items. The mathematics of this evening are staggering; but we’ve got to win.
Since I’d moved from Chicago to Orlando only two years before, I keep running into old friends as I wander through the maze of silent auction items. Despite the gravity of the cause the mood is upbeat. “Hey, how are you? Florida now?” “The chocolate torte was fabulous.” “Outstanding event; the speeches were short. They finally got that part right.” “Great to see you, you look great.” The dance music is now at fever pitch. The evening is a success — hundreds of thousands raised for the HRCF cause. People are feeling like they’ve done their part. Yet as I move through the crush of bodies, I feel out of step with the mood of the evening. I don’t know why.
One of the people I run into is an old acquaintance, Dan. We’d attended the same church and had had a cocktail party “friends of friends” type of relationship. He’s even better looking and funnier than I remember. He’s done well for himself and is now working in the Governor’s office in a major policy-making role. As we chat, he shares with me that he wants to start getting more active with human rights issues, especially after the election. But as he talks about his
job, I begin to realize that he hasn’t come out at work. He rationalizes by saying that it wouldn’t help anyone to know. I hear all the practical reasons and understand why. We exchange cards and promise to stay in touch.
Dan’s story is a gift. It makes me realize why I feel out of touch with the evening, and more importantly, what the real challenge is. I understand that the sum of all the checks written this evening will not defeat the Radical Right. Their power is
The power of the Radical Right isn't so much in their hatred of us, but in their keen understanding about how to manipulate the self-hatred of gay men and
neither in their well financed political campaigns, their numbers nor their passionate positions. The power of the Radical Right isn’t so much in their hatred of us, but in their keen understanding about how to manipulate the self-hatred of gay men and lesbians. They know that they’ll win if we don’t say who we are.
The voices outside my window are growing quieter as the baseball crowd thins. A child’s high pitched voice knifes through my thoughts, “It was a great game, Dad. Who won? I’m tired. When do we go home?”
CONSERVATIVELY SPEAKING
WATERMARK
Watermark Media, Inc.
©1994
editor / publisher Tom Dyer layout/ managing editor April Gustetter account executive Keith Peterson contributing writers Michael L. Kilgore, G. K. Fowler, Harmony Brenner. Nan Schultz,
R. A. Bach, Dimitri Toscas,
Jim Crescitelli, Mark Lawhon, Yvonne Vassell, Ken Kundis,
Marvin Liebman, Leslea Newman, Rosanne Sloan, Joe Sarano photographers & illustrators Alison Bechdel, Eric Orner,
Russell Tucker, student contributors John Holland, Katie Messmer,
Tera Kenney, Mike Williams CONTENTS of WATERMARK are protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher. Unsolicited article submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Although WATERMARK is supported by many fine advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers.
Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles, advertising, or listing is WATERMARK is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or members of such organizations (unless, of course, sexual orientation is stated specifically).
WATERMARK is published every second Wednesday, except the first week in January and the second week in July. Subscription rates are $35.00 (third class).
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In recent years, it is a rare event indeed for an American politician — of either major party — to take a stand based solely on principle and conviction rather than on whatever expedience is required to keep or win a well-paying government job with all the power and perks of office. Such a rare event occurred not long ago at a Human Rights Campaign Fund leadership conference in Washington, when U. S. Sen. Charles Robb (D-Va.) appeared to express his appreciation for a contribution of $ 10,000.
But he went far beyond just saying thanks.
Robb, running a tough and close race for reelection against radical extremists, “gave his strongest endorsement ever to homosexual rights, saying he will speak out on the issues even if it jeopardizes his reelection campaign,” reported The Washington Post in a story on the conference. “He condemned the ‘fundamental unfairness’ of anti-gay discrimination and called efforts to end it ‘the last front of the true civil rights struggle.’ He promised that ‘we’re going to get it right in the very near future.’”
There was no reason for Chuck Robb to stick out his political neck other than deep personal conviction. Ten thousand dollars is a lot of money but relatively insignificant in a campaign that will cost millions. His major opponent is the Republican nominee, Oliver L. North — public liar, hypocritical opportunist and a proud bigot whose targets include gays, lesbians and most likely every other minority group different from his white-bread, phony Norman Rockwell hero image, bought and paid for by direct-mail professionals who raise millions of hard-earned dollars from all too many impoverished and frightened Americans.
Is there a choice for those in the Virginia electorate who still value honor and decency? Is there even a question in the minds of gay men and lesbians? For me, there is none and only one choice: Charles Robb (who is every bit the Vietnam veteran that North is).
I have worked on the campaigns of, and voted for, Republicans most of my professional life, with only one exception in 1992 — Bill Clinton. I voted for him because I was repelled by the moral weakness and hypocrisy of the Republican Party and its candidate, as epitomized by the loathsome GOP national convention in Houston. In
retrospect, I would still have voted against the Republicans, even though Bill Clinton has reneged on too many campaign promises to the gay and lesbian community and to the nation.
I find myself in the same position once again. I am a conservative Republican who finds himself supporting Senator Chuck Robb, a liberal Democrat. Why this contradiction? It is because I am a gay man. Any politician — Republican or Democrat — who speaks out for us, who stands against bigotry and hatred, is my candidate. Even though we may differ on economic and other issues, we stand together in support of common humanity and the constitutional civil rights of all Americans. Our country can survive Democrats in the Senate and even Clinton in the White House. It cannot survive the bigotry, fear and hatred that have become the prime weapons of the radical extremists of the right, whether they be Democrat or Republican.
To the radical right, gay men and lesbians have replaced the Jews and Negroes of the past as prime targets. We have become the Reds of the ‘90’s, objects of fear and loathing. We are now the corrupters — of the media, the schools, the family, every “value” the professional extremists can think up on which they can raise money. Gay men and lesbians are stereotyped fuel for their fund-raising machines, all in the name of God.
Any friend of these radical extremists is our enemy. Anyone opposed to their ugly campaigns of hatred and bigotry is our friend. It has become that simple. The danger posed to our community is that critical. They promote raw hatred of each and every one of us. They proclaim their fundamentalist beliefs as religious gospel. The penalty for sodomy is death, they say. Do they really want us dead? Probably. We need all the real friends we can get. Those who stand with us against hate deserve all the support we can give them. Chuck Robb is one of those courageous few.
An additional note: In the past, I’ve criti-
by Marvin Liebman
cized the Human Rights Campaign Fund as being too “establishment”; too fearful of change. However, like it or not, HRCF is our establishment organization — the largest, the best-financed and the most widely recognized. It is because of this that it can provide the most comfortable platform for the Chuck Robbs to speak out for us. For this, all gay men and lesbians must be grateful. If it did nothing else but provide such a platform, HRCF would have sufficient value. For providing Chuck Robb that venue, I salute my HRCF friends and comrades.
I urge all who read this to provide whatever support you are able to keep Sen. Charles S. Robb in Washington. If you live in Virginia, offer your services as volunteers. But no matter where you live, send this man a check.
Marvin Liebman, author of Coming Out Conservative (1992, Chronical Books), lives and works in Washington, D. C.
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VIEWPOINT
WATERMARK / August 31,1994 11
JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE
by Nan Schultz
“Who are we? Where have we come from? What are we here for?” The Mattachine Society, a pioneering gay organization, reportedly set itself to the task of exploring these questions. Formed at a time when the dearth of available information and the secrecy and shame surrounding homosexual activities caused many to doubt their sanity, or to believe themselves “the only ones”, the Society provided a vehicle for self-discovery and self-definition apart from prevailing social attitudes; attitudes which yielded such labels as “pervert”, “deviant”, and “criminal”.
Although the Mattachine quickly became a pragmatic and thus conservative organization providing mostly social opportunities and legal protection for its members, the questions they posed are still debated within gay and lesbian organizations. Since the results of this query are almost always divisive, I am prompted to add a fourth question: “What difference does it make?” Is self-definition a worthy goal, or is it a trap creating a group identity which confines us to our own stereotypes? What positive purpose might be served by exploring th2 ways being gay means more than simply being homosexual?
Who are we? Are we just doctors and lawyers and shop keepers whose primary sexual interest is in members of our own sex? Are we, as many among us would argue, “just like everybody else” except for who we sleep with? Or do we possess a sensibility which is the result of our unique experience in American society? Could we be possessed of an “outsider” consciousness which alters the perspective of our cultural observations? And might not our
tendency to stretch the limits of gender identity give us an insight into wholeness that may be hard to come by if one accepts the constraints of socially imposed sex roles?
Might we also have what Advocate senior editor Mark Thompson calls “a differentness that accentuates the gifts of compassion, empathy, healing, interpretation, and enabling?” Is it possible that, as one drag queen said, “when a man is feminine and a woman masculine...that person is more in touch with the total range of human experience?” I wouldn’t presume
.. .we are reaching a point in our social evolution where breakthrough change is not only possible, but critical to our survival...
to give you a definitive answer, but I suspect that we have at least the potential to add something unique and valuable to the American social/political fabric.
What are we here for? Good question! What is anybody here for? Can’t we just be here? Yes and no, for, as Judy Grahn, feminist poet and lesbian activist notes, her mere presence has an impact on society. Her clothes and bearing model a “certain freedom for women.” As she and her partner parent a child, they “present an obvious example of alternate family structure.” With very little effort she has become a one-
woman “alternative thought structure.” Without conscious thought or effort, and just as likely without our permission, we may be, as Ms. Grahn points out, “inextricably bound, historically and politically with ideas of pluralism, tolerance, multiculturality, sexual expression and free choice.” Not bad for people who are just like everybody else.
Buy this “we’re different” argument or don’t. Whether this makes any difference is far more relevant to our political and social choices, because what you aspire to is far more critical than what you really are. And because right now, right here, we face the political choice to either “breakthrough or break even.” We can continue to work for our piece of the same old pie, or we can get in the kitchen and bake up something new and better.
There is almost no way to deny that we are reaching a point in our social evolution where breakthrough change is not only possible, but critical to our survival and future chances for happiness and self-actualization. The new science of chaos and the study of change dynamics teaches us that systems are characterized by long periods of equilibrium punctuated by evolutionary branchings called bifurcations. According to Riane Eisler, historian and
futurist, the current rapid rate of technological change has precipitated the instability that makes such a branching likely. And while such branchings in chemical or biological systems are largely the product of chance, humans have the ability to act consciously and collectively to choose their own evolutionary path.
We can stay focused on the civil rights aspects of our struggle, reforming laws and securing our legal rights. We can recreate government and business-as-usual with tolerance for same sex pronouns. But as journalist Michael Bronski notes, “the legislative approach to gay liberation runs the risk of giving social power only to those homosexuals deemed ‘acceptable’, i.e. straight looking and acting.” Not to mention that such change is limited by existing social standards and the rigidity of legal and governmental systems.
Or we can seek to effect more far-reaching social change. We can seize the prerogative of being different. We can call on those unique experiences and insights gained through both the pain and joy of our “otherness” to imagine and create new social relationships based on the ideas of equality, partnership and connectedness to one another, to the environment, and to the world at large.
WATERMARK: LET THE SUN SHINE THROUGH
bj G. K. Fowler
Not too long ago the best advice for Orlando’s gay and lesbian residents was to leave town. If you wanted to be out, you had to get out. Those of us who stayed, or improbably arrived, joked about putting up a sign: WELCOME TO ORLANDO. SET YOUR CLOCKS BACK TEN YEARS.
Those days are over now. This is no longer the land that time and cranial development forgot. Orlando’s large gay and lesbian population is developing into a vibrant community. Like other minorities we celebrate our distinctiveness and choose empowerment. More and more we do business together, vote together, and work
Watermark was conceived during a visit to Atlanta; sperm met egg in the south’s most inviting gay ghetto, Virginia Highlands. At lunch one day, I noticed almost everyone, alone and in groups, perusing the same newspaper. Southern Voice had been distributed that day, and I was witness to the way this excellent weekly informs, energizes and unifies Atlanta’s gay and lesbian community.
Watermark's admittedly ambitious goal is to do the same for Orlando and the rest of Central Florida. Every other week we hope you’ll tuck us into your beach bag, spill eggs on us at Brian’s, and sneak looks at us during Reverend Brock’s sermon. We hope you’ll be aroused by our editorials, amused by our gossip and cartoons, and inspired by our “Transitions” section. Most importantly, we hope you’ll participate and take pride in our newspaper.
At present, we’re a full-time staff of three: myself, layout gal April Gustetter, and ad guy Keith Peterson. But the paper is clearly a collaborative effort, and there are many
together to defend our freedom and values. With Watermark, we have a twice-monthly newspaper to read together.
We named our paper Watermark because that word reminds us of what we love about Florida: the ocean, the gulf, our lakes and rivers, and the diversity of life they support. It’s classy too, like our community. It’s a myth we all have good taste, but no one can deny us, as a group, a certain flair.
Even better, it connotes honesty and excellence. On foreign currency, a watermark certifies that what you hold is genuine, the real thing. The watermark on fine bond
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK:
A USER’S GUIDE TO WATERMARK
talented writers and photographers working with us. We’ve been overwhelmed by their shared enthusiasm
Tor this paper. Most will be featured regularly, and we hope you’ll come to know them and look forward to their contributions.
We also have four bright and energetic student interns who will cut their journalistic teeth with us. Importantly, to those friends in the gay and lesbian community who helped us get off the ground with their fi-
guarantees quality. Such marks, made by pressing wire patterns on new paper, are so pale they seem drawn in water. They are nearly invisible, like we’ve been for so long. But once brought to light, a watermark shines with an unmistakable quality, just like we do.
It’s been some time now since honest misconceptions about homosexuality congealed into hard, cold lies. But truth can’t hurt us. We know that it is human, not criminal, to value beauty and love. “Our kind” has always been defined by others, too often the fate and doom of powerless minorities. We won’t play that way anymore.
Hence one of our major goals at Watermark will be to help our community know itself and define for itself what it means to be gay in Central Florida, and in America, today. We’ll hold our community up to the light to see what shines through. We’ll search for the watermarks of what is true and essential in gay life. What we learn we’ll share with you, and with our hetero-
nancial support, my sincere thanks. You know who you are, so take a bow.
The paper has three sections. At the outset you’ll find news, including health, HIV, and business news. In the middle of the paper you’ll encounter “Artful Living”, containing entertainment news, reviews, personal announcements, astrology, gossip, cartoons, and a calender of events. The last few pages are devoted to the “Marketplace” directory, real estate and classified ads, and the sports page. These last pages will also soon contain “Voiceboard” telepersonal listings. In all sections, we’re committed to balanced content for lesbians and gay men.
Reading is passive; Watermark is intended to be an interactive process. We need you to share a little of your life with us. We need to know what you do at work and away from work. We need your ideas and opinions. We also hope you’ll be ambitious with your advertising. Let’s replace those business card ads with attractive, state-of-the-art advertising concepts that reflect the vital-
sexual neighbors. Too many of them are misguided by fear, the prey de luxe of cynical politicians and so-called religious leaders who peddle hate for power but settle for cash.
We’re writing for savvy, self-assertive gay people determined to live full lives despite the madness. We’ve got news you can use: what’s hot, what’s not, what hurts, what heals, what’s fun, and what requires serious voter turnout. News, sports, letters, comics...hey, it’s a gay world out there!
There’s too much joy and laughter, excitement, achievement, beauty and love in us for any of it to remain in restraints. Although bom into every race and creed we are a people of our own, a people in the making, and like all peoples, wonderful in our way. So here we are, God bless us. We hope we do us right. Maybe someday the best advice a local lesbian or gay man in Central Florida can get will be to pick up a copy of Watermark.
ity of the gay patrons you seek.
We’re excited about Watermark and the whole process of creating each issue. Call us with news tips. Send us letters. Show off photos in the “Gallery”. Place a classified ad. Tell us where you’d like to see Watermark distributed. And by all means, read our paper, pass it around, and as we change and grow with our first issues, let us know what you think.
Watermark welcomes letters to the editor. All letters are subject to editing for content and length. Letters should be sent to:
P. O. Box 533655 Orlando, FL 32853-3655
WATERMARK / August 31, 1994 12
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GAY COMEDY WITHOUT A NET
The Improvabilities are “Florida’s Freshest Fruit”
by R. A. Bach
The man and woman are center stage, acting out a horrific and hilarious free association about robots and exploding internal organs. Offstage, someone yells “Freeze! Tennessee Williams.” Instantaneously the actors begin fanning themselves and talking about mendacity in drippy southern voices filled with pent-up sexual frustration. The scenario continues on its new course until we hear “Freeze! Stephen Sondheim.” The actors become urban sophisticates as they begin singing about their neurotic, self-important lives...on the mansion...in outer space. This madcap display of inventiveness continues as a Greek tragedy with chorus, a Rogers and Hammerstein musical, an Oscar Wilde comedy of manners, and finally Shakespeare.
Improvisation is comedy without a net; part of the entertainment lies in the potential for disaster. Can they pull it off? Can they invent something funny without benefit of prior thought? Like a trapeze act, when the Improvabilities do pull it off you don’t know whether to laugh, applaud or gasp in amazement. And they pull it off time after time, often brilliantly, sometimes
just barely, and that’s fun too.
For almost a year, the Improvabilities have been providing Central Florida with hilarious, intelligent, insightful sketch comedy that assumes a gay sensibility. They are also one of the best entertainment values in town. On weekends, its no longer necessary to go to a bar after dinner to stay gay. Go to the Eola Theater, wave at friends, have a seat and prepare to be wildly entertained. These are funny, funny people, and it’s a privilege to catch them at this stage of their promising collective career.
Troy Tinker founded the Improvabilities after four years of improv work in Cleveland. His dream was “to form a comedy troupe that would make people laugh while shedding light on gay experience.” Several members were recruited from the Comedy Warehouse at Pleasure Island, and others were mined from Universal Studios, the Hat Box Revue, and local children’s theater.
Along with Troy, Dave Almeida is the group’s most versatile performer, comfortable and funny as daddy or diva. Catherine
Goodison has the wry wit and deadpan delivery of Roseanne’s Sara Gilbert John Connon,
his handsome face topped by a shock of peroxide blonde hair, could be the twisted anchorman for the John Waters Network.
Talented Rae L’Heureaux can be petite then brassy, stem then bawdy as she calls on a broad range of characters with impres-
THE IMPROVABILITIES: (clockwise from top left) Dave Almeida, John Connon, Rae LHeureaux, Martin Kunz, Troy Tinker. Not pictured: Catherine Goodison
sive ease. She’s Lucy, Bette, Roseanne and more. With his expressive face, a real artist’s tool, the hilarious Martin Kunz can draw laughter with little more than an arched eyebrow. At a recent show, he created a boy-in-the-bubble cruising the Parliament house by rolling his big orb up and down the balconies (“Look but don’t touch, baby”). It was comedic inventiveness worthy of Jonathan Winters.
One of the great pleasures of watching this versatile group is sharing their delight in each other’s courage and wit. It’s easy to tell when a peer has been impressed. Actors uninvolved in a partic-ular sketch will often jump in when an inspired comedic idea sparks their imagination. The hilarity builds exponentially as troupe members bounce off each other like speeding pinballs.
Performances last approximately two hours, with one fifteen minute intermission. The audience is involved throughout, calling out suggestions and often participating onstage. Catch these wonderful performers often and while you still can. After opening for the Fabulous Flirtations in May at The Club, The Improvabilities will be performing with them at selected upcoming concerts. The Improvabilities are also pursuing regional bookings.
Don’t miss The Improvabilities, “Florida’s Freshest Fruit”, at one of their upcoming Friday shows at the Eola Theatre on Wall Street Plaza. Showtimes are at 10:30 PM on Friday, September 2nd, 9th, 16th and 30th. Call (407) 521-7499.
ONE OF BROADWAY’S ORIGINAL “C AGELLES” REMEMBERS FIVE YEARS IN HEELS
by Tom Dyer
La Cage Aux Folles is landmark gay entertainment. Based on a play by Jean Poiret, the French movie about ZaZa, a tightly wound female impersonator, and his longtime companion Georges, was funny, touching, and a surprise hit in the 70s. The transformation to Broadway musical several years later was an overwhelming creative and financial success.
La Cage Aux Folles will be performed at the Mark Two Dinner Theater through October 2nd; the perfect excuse to visit with Orlando’s Sam Singhaus, one of the original “Cagelles” in the Broadway production. Sam is known to many as the charismatic co-owner and driving force behind the fondly remembered downtown club “Big Bang”, and through his association with the popular Club At Firestone.
Musical by nature, Sam developed his interest in dance while attending Boone High School. After graduating, he took dance classes with Kip Watson and worked with what eventually became the Southern Ballet Theater.
Encouraged by his teachers, he went to New York to study dance and within weeks was awarded a scholarship
with the Richard Thomas Ballet Company. “The whole thing was really unbelievable,” said Sam. “I went to New York for three months and ended up staying ten years.”
SAM REVIEWS
MARK TWO’S LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
is
Sam was drawn to musical comedy, and he eventually left the ballet to train and take a job at Radio City. He did skit work on Saturday Night Live, and in time started auditioning for Broadway shows. His first big show was a national tour of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers with Debbie Boone. “It was a great show and a lot of fun,” said Singhaus. “Debbie was great in it, but the New York critics couldn’t get over themselves enough to give her a good review.” After a successful tour, the show closed soon after reaching Broadway.
Continued Page 14
WATERMARK / August 31, 1994 14
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From Page 13
Then auditions for La Cage Aux Folles began. “For some reason I just had the feeling that this was the right show for me,” he remembered. “I didn’t know that much about it, just that it was Jerry Herman, Arthur Laurents and Harvey Fierstein and it was going to be a six million dollar musical and it was going to be a hit.” Apparently others felt the same way. Along with 1000 other dancers, Sam sought a role as one of the energetic “cagelles”. Auditions lasted for three full months as dancers were pared to the final ten.
According to Sam, “We weren’t told we would be in drag half the show until the very end. We were told to bring high heels to the final auditions.” So Sam went shopping. “I lived on the upper west side at the time, so I walked up to Harlem figuring I’d find larger sizes there. I went into this women’s shoe store and started looking, and after watching me for a while this saleslady asked if she could help me. Fortunately, Tootsie had just come out, so I asked her if she’d seen the movie. She said she had, so I told her it was a Tootsie thing. She sold me a great pair of shoes.”
In fact, Sam had never appeared in drag before La Cage, and it took weeks to get
used to the specially braced high heel shoes. “We tried out in Boston and changed the show every day. It was tough. I definitely hit my ‘Butterfield 8’ weight.” But he says it was clear that the show would be a hit from the start, and he ended up staying with La Cage until it closed almost five years later.
During the show’s run, Sam worked with the likes of George Hearn, Keene Curtis, Gene Barry, Peter Marshall, and his favorite, Van Johnson. “A real old Hollywood star. He’s sure nice and real, real fun. He always wore red socks, so when he came back to see the show after he’d left it, I snuck out and bought red socks for the cast. When the curtain came up for ovations, we lifted our pant legs and you could hear his boisterous laugh everywhere. He was great.”
Sam notes that there was initial criticism of the show from some gay quarters because, like the recent movie Philadelphia, there was almost no affection displayed between the principal gay couple. Sam thinks this criticism is misplaced. “First of all, Georges and ZaZa had been together for decades, so let’s be real. Also, much of the audience would have been turned off by them kissing and stuff. Instead, everyone who saw the play left thinking that the love between two men can be beautiful. After all, love is what the play is really about.”
THE CAST OF IHABXTiir 1 Bittttlft : THEATER’S
ucAmm
AmmiM
Florida Republicans have
GOV. CLAUDE KIRK
SEN.
PAULA
HAWKINS
• GOVERNOR CLAUDE KIRK, who actively opposed school desegregation; whose outrageous self-promotion led him to fight with lawmakers of both parties; and who was viewed as a buffoon by both j Republican and Democratic voters.
• SENATOR PAULA HAWKINS, who insulted Florida’s Cuban community by saying, "you know how they are"; who repeatedly trashed Florida in public forums around the U.S.; who was criticized in both Florida and Washington for playing fast and loose with the truth; who was described as a “lightweight” by the Wall Street Journat, and who was chosen one of the ten worst senators by Washington Monthly.
• GOVERNOR BOB MARTINEZ, who tried to defy Florida’s constitution by taking away women’s right to choose and who left behind federal lawsuits that turned prisoners back out on the streets after serving only 32% of their sentences; prisons that couldn’t open because there was no money to run them; and a welfare computer that crashed.
WE’VE SEEN FIRST-HAND WHAT THE REPUBLICANS HAVE TO OFFER.
DO WE REALLY WANT TO GAMBLE ON THEM AGAIN?
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IN REVIEW
c^UtxEd
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The buzz on Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers has been good...good and violent. I’ve never been a particular fan of Stone’s, and I was prepared for his usual overboard style. Overboard does not begin to describe the buttons and barriers this film pushes. And by the way, I loved this movie.
Visually, Natural Born Killers is exciting. Trippy in fact. The actors, with one exception, are memorable. Standouts include the ubiquitous Tommy Lee Jones as a fiendish prison warden, and Juliette Lewis, who has perfected the role of mentally-unstable-woman-confined-in-a-hospital-room-or-jail-cell. Robert Downey, Jr.’s insipid Robin Leach impersonation was distracting, however. Why couldn’t Stone get Hugh Grant or Rupert Everett to play the smarmy British tabloid journalist?
Natural Born Killers presents a scathing portrait of our sick obsession with tabloid press and TV. And if you think it’s over-the-top, check out the “real-life” clips of those darling orphaned Menendez boys, our national hero O. J. Simpson the pitiful victim Lorena Bobbit, and the list goes on and on. Is this movie realistic? Yes and more. I left the theatre amazed at what I had just viewed, and feeling the same calm experienced after serious “anger work” with my therapist. This movie is cathartic.
I refuse to comment on how “violence begets violence”, and how teenagers will imitate the anti-heroes Micky and Mallory, played so magnificently by Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis. Take a look at this movie and see it for what it is; a stunning, chilling portrait of our society and our sick obsession with gore, violence and scandal.
• Barcelona is pretentious, boring, and yes, obnoxious. The actors are miscast, the dialogue is stilted, the characters unappealing and implausible. I didn’t like Whitt Stillman’s last film, Metropolitan (1990); Barcelona annoyed the hell out of me. I left Enzian in a bad mood and had to cancel my plans to meet a friend at The Club for a nightcap.
• On video, check out Six Degrees of Separation, a sophisticated movie with outstanding performances, and witty, intellegent dialogue (are you listening Whitt Stillman?). Better than the Broadway play on which it was based. Also, take a look at Robert Altman’s Short Cuts. Despite its epic length, it was without doubt one of last year’s best films. The ensemble cast is unforgettable.
• My sister took me to my very first rock concert over twenty years ago (can that be real ???). I’ve loved Steely Dan ever since. And I might have loved them at their recent St. Petersburg concert if I had heard them. The Thunderdome is acoustics HELL. Its no excuse that the arena wasn’t designed for concerts, but for the baseball team that never was.
• I can’t believe I’m recommending a restaurant on I-Drive, but if you’re looking for a truly unique night out with friends or a date, visit Cafe Tu Tu Tango. Food, drink, artwork, artists and dancers all blend to make for one of the coolest, most original places to hang out in O-Town.
Sam Sinahaus
“I am what l am, and what I am needs no excuses,..” is just one of the lines in what has become the anthem of modern gay culture. It is part of the score to La CageAux Folks, a wonderful old-fashioned musical guaranteed to reach in and tug at those rusty old heart strings that we all hide so well. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one misty-eyed in the audience - the opening night onlookers seemed to adore the show. The audience consisted mainly of “mainstream” Americans - the kinds of mothers, fathers, relatives, and neighbors that we all might find ourselves “coming out” to, perhaps borrowing some of the above-mentioned score to plea our case. This show, as poignant as it is campy, was the winner of 6 Tony awards on Broadway in 1984. With the collaboration of Arthur Laurents (West Side Gypsy. The Way We Were) Jerry Herman C , Dolly!, Mame), and Harvey Fierstein (Torch Song Trilogy), an incredible treasure of musical theater was created.
The show revolves around two gay male characters whose son is engaged to the daughter of a right-wing morals crusader. The story is one of “forbidden love” vs. family traditions (sound familiar?). It’s a bit Romeo And Juliet, a bit Side Story, and a bit of Thanksgiving dinner with your parents and your new “significant other”.
In this production, Biyce Ward stars as ZaZa, the headline female impersonator/entertainer in his lover’s night club. It’s hard to find enough good things to say about Mr. Ward. His performance k; filled with warmth, humor, showmanship, and professional artistry. He leaves you wanting more (and he looks so glamorous in those beaded dresses!). Michael
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Edwards plays his lover George; the solid support that ZaZa needs to keep at least one foot on the ground. Mr. Edwards gives a likeable performance, creating a very complimentary, believable character with the wisdom to sustain a twenty-year marriage to a true diva. As Jean-Michel (the “traitor” son), Todd Lee Piorier is a pleasure to listen to and look at, acting the role with integrity. He and Mr. Edwards make a convincing father-son casting choice.
Other performances worth kudos are Colleen Ashton as the bubbly and delicious Jacqueline, Ann Hurst as the “bridled-gone-giddy” Mme. Dindon, and Bob Perry’s “second-fiddle” Mercedes. Mary Rose Gray’s Mme. Renaud Ls the quintessential French country barmaid.
It’s difficult for me to criticize any theatrical endeavor, but since the Mark Two is a legitimate Equity (union) theatre, the few disappointing aspects of the performance I attended bear mentioning. The Cagelles were a bit too rough around the edges and their costumes far from flattering. But what they lacked in grace they certainly made up for with enthusiasm and shenanigans. Mr. Dindon was played a little too “Lower East Side” for an uptight French moralist, and Jacob was pleasant but lacked the fire of a drag-diva wannabe (just go for it, girl!).
Mark Howard’s direction and Bob Perry’s choreography (much of the original Broadway steps were recreated) kept the production swiftly on course. As we left the theatre singing “The Best ofTImes is No w”, Mark Two’s La Cage Aux Folles movingly reminded us to be proud of who we really are.
Thank you cast and crew for an inspirational and enjoyable evening of theatre.
G^Y VIEWER'S GUIDE TO
S Absolutely Fabulous
Reviewed by Dimitri Toscas
Okay. Who are those two women who are creeping into our culture? You know, the heavy one whose outrageous clothes don’t fit her anymore, and the blonde one who hasn’t changed her hair style since the sixties?
They’re popping up everywhere. On postcards. In our clubs. Hosting “drag races”. On our televisions. They are becoming a cultural landmark for the 90s...right up there with Ru Paul and Hillary Clinton.
Of course, Sweetie, darling.. .they’re Edina and Patsy of Absolutely Fabulous, the hit series that just arrived from England on Comedy Central. It’s been a craze on the BBC since 1992, so why has it taken so long to reach us?
“I think you’ll find, America, that Patsy and Edina have no redeeming qualities whatsoever,” the show’s producer,
Continued Page 16
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IN REVIEW
Continued Page 16
Jon Plowman, proudly spouts. “It’s been one of the reasons that America’s been reluctant.” But if you ask me, that’s the very reason Edina and Patsy are so attractive to this sterile, politically correct generation.
Before you clamor to your tele, America, there are a few things you need to know to assimilate yourselves to AbFab, as it is affectionately known. Here are some tips to help you.
1) Edina (Jennifer Saunders) and Patsy (Joanna Lumley) are fortysomething fashion gals. Their major addictions: smokes, alcohol, and drugs (every kind you can find), their obsessive issues: slaves to fashion, wealth, and other current trends, from psychic friends to Buddhist chant, from fad diets to isolation tanks (which Edina can only use if Patsy’s with her).
Edina’s hard up and heavy. Patsy’s coked up and homy (a confirmed nymphomaniac). Basically, they’re everyday people.
2) “Fags” are cigarettes, so don’t get offended.
3) Saffron is Edina’s daughter. She’s a smart, young, science student; the only stable thing in the house, but watch her tongue.. .it’s sharp.
4) Don’t be surprised if you recognize some odd characters. Since the show’s instant fame, stars like Germaine Greer, Miranda Richardson, and Helena Bonham Carter pop up in unexpected cameos.
5) “Colonic irrigation” is merely an ad-
vanced enema.
6) “LaCroix” is the name of a fashion line.
7) A television season at the BBC is only SIX episodes. So don’t be alarmed when you begin to see reruns of the twelve existing episodes. The third season is due in Spring of 1995, and then, according to Saunders, who is also writer and co-creator, the girls may be hitting the big screen.
8) You’ll find Comedy Central’s Absolutely Fabulous on Mondays at 8:30 PM, Saturdays at 4:30 PM, and Sundays at 11:00 PM, but before you set your VCR, be aware that the show is an odd 40 minutes or so. Check the listings.
Extra Bonus: Keep an ear out for the Pet Shop Boys’ dance track devoted to Patsy and Edie. It’s a groove.
Our suggestion for beginners: Tape the show and watch it a few times, until you can understand what the girls are saying.
And while trying to keep up with Patsy and Edina for you, we’ve discovered a major plot line for next season. Get this: Patsy and Edina are coming to New York!
“I just hope people think it’s funny,” Lumley states, no doubt maneuvering the words between her fag and her crooked smile. “I hope they will. And if it doesn’t work, it’s not my fault. I’m simply an actress.”
Don’t worry, Pats, as always, your adventures around Manhattan promise to be exhilarating, exhausting, and absolutely fabulous.
I GAY POLITICAL POTBOILER
Flashpoint by Katherine V. Forrest Reviewed by Harmony Brenner
In September, 1991, a California radio station broadcasts the governor’s plan to veto a crucial gay-rights bill. This news causes Donnelly, Flashpoint's central figure, to mobilize her diverse gay and lesbian cohorts in a rustic cabin retreat, thus setting the stage for Katherine V. Forrest’s latest novel. Flashpoint spins a provoking fictional web of reference around real political struggle.
Forrest animates and humanizes these characters by showing them simultaneously at their best and worst, as they challenge and comfort each other through loss and discovery. Donnelly is a multi-faceted activist with impressive connections, and she leads the group body and soul. Pat Decker owns the cabin, and thus serves as the group’s reluctant hostess. Averill Calder Harmon, a professional golfer with a dislike for activism, lives in self-hating fear with her secretary and lover, Angela. Rounding out the female characters is Querida Quemada, a successful Latina professional and Donnelly’s current lover. Donnelly’s ex-husband and his male lover complete the cast.
Throughout the book’s uncharacteristically terse chapters, each character shares common pain, common shame, and uncommon healing. They process their own unique experiences as homosexuals while Donnelly prepares to test their commitment. Challenges created by homophobic employers, families, schools and peers unite Forrest’s characters despite clear differences in gender, class and ethnicity.
Like many cohesive cliques, intriguing yet painful love triangles once existed within the group. As their shared bond, Donnelly helps each of them cope, passing from Bradley to Averill to Pat like an Olympic torch of optimism and activism.
As usual, Forrest spices the entire story with wonderful snippets of dialogue and detail. The tranquility and provincial charm of the woodsy cabin pleasantly contrast the cosmopolitan lifestyles and concerns of its inhabitants. Her characters banter naturally, observe unobtrusively, and soliloquize elo-
quently. Each offers insight into the gay and lesbian experience rarely found in contemporary fiction. Forrest’s polished yet believable style of characterization remains the trademark of her bestselling fiction.
At times Flashpoint may seem ponderous, but when the governor finally issues his veto, crisis dynamics reverberate within the secluded cabin’s walls. Donnelly confronts her friends with a mission, testing the bounds of their delicately woven friendships. Each character must weigh the consequences of solidarity and true political commitment.
The choices made range from startling to satisfying, but each is ultimately credible. For the ardent Forrest reader, Flashpoint breaks new and significant ground .Forrest is not typically political, thus excluding most reference to current events. This story is a well-timed exception. I highly recommend it to Forrest fans and to anyone who enjoys the struggles of determined underdogs. If for no other reason, read Flashpoint to ignite your own sense of pride, energy, and activism.
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WATERMARK / August 31, 1994 18
OUR CULTURE
&
Greg
Wasson
July 1963-August 1993
m
Trcansitions
In Loving Memory
TIME helps the hurting. LOVE keeps the memory. JUST like the song you sang to me. “I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.”
-Jim
1-4-3
Actress Danitra Vance 35, died on Sunday, August 21st. An innovative and outrageous performance artist, Ms. Vance was once described as a cross between Laurie Anderson and Little Richard. In 1985 she became the first black woman to join the cast of Saturday Night Live. Ms. Vance lived in Brooklyn with her companion, Jones Miller. According to Ms. Miller, the cause of death was breast cancer.
Lesbian Pioneer, Rikki Streicher, 68, died on Sunday, August 21st. Ms. Streicher was a pioneer in San Francisco’s gay civil rights movement and owner of two of the city’s most famous lesbian bars, Maud’s and Amanda’s. Following Ms. Streicher’s death, San Francisco Mayor Frank Jordan ordered flags flown at half-staff in her honor. Ms. Streicher is survived by her partner of many years, Mary Sager.
“Transitions" may include memorials, remembrances, weddings, anniversaries, promotions, and other announcements. Please send submissions with black and white photo to WATERMARK • P.O. Box 533655 • Orlando, FL 32853-3655. Announcements an; free of charge.
W>
Visit us for brunch, lunch, and dinner.
Teddy, Papa Tony and Pablo look forward to your visit and promise you a unique dining experience.
T ■ TH11 AM -10 PM • F11 AM -11 PM »S 10 AM-11 PM • SUN 10 AM-9 PM
900 E. WASHINGTON STREET ♦ ORLANDO, FL 32801 ♦ (407) 425-0033
Cactus Club
1300 N. Mills Ave. .'
.Orlando
'• 407-894-3041
M
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noxnr
2 for 1
3 pm to 8 pm 7 Days A Week
lrue$day^ friday^ Saturday#
2 for 1 All Nite
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Buffet 2 for 1 until 8 pm
2 for 1 11 pm to 1 am
1
MARK MATTHEWS PLACES IN MR. HOTLANTA. Orlando’s own Mark Matthews was the second runner-up in the 1994 Mr. Hotlanta International contest. Those who’ve done the Atlanta river expo know that the bodybuilding competition is a major production, theatrically and pectorally. Word is that many thought Mark should have won...it’s all so political. Congratulations, Mark. Readers, we’ll try and get hold of some pictures. ENZIAN’S GAY FILM SERIES ENDS. According to Manager Peg O’Keef, Enzian’s Summer Gay and Lesbian Film series was a moderate disappointment. “We were very pleased with the films presented,” said O’Keef, “ but disappointed that more people didn’t get to see them.” She reports that Go Fish, a seriocomic lesbian slice-of-life, was well attended, “probably because it got lots of national publicity and the Orlando Sentinel did a story on it.” Other films, however, did less well. The last film in the series, Coming Out Under Fire, an award-winning documentary about gays in the military, is presently playing. O’Keef states that despite the mixed response, Enzian will continue to present lesbian and gay films in Central Florida. The highly anticipated The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert begins playing in late September.
SOUTHERN COUNTRY HOSTS “O’TOWN HOEDOWN”. Southern Country Orlando will hold their second annual “O’Town Hoedown” on September 9th, 1 Oth, and 11 th. All events will be held at the Harley Hotel’s Eola Ballroom and at the Full Moon Saloon. According to Jerry Murtha, Souther Country President, anywhere from 300 to 500 people are expected. Proceeds from this year’s hoedown will benefit CENTAUR and the Hope & Help Center. Southern Country Orlando is one of 41 gay country/westem dancing clubs nationwide.
DESTINY OF ME OPENS AT ACTING STUDIO. The Acting Studio continues to offer innovative gay theatre with its upcoming production of The Destiny of Me. Destiny is Larry Kramer’s 1993 Obie Award-winning sequel to his earlier AIDS play, The Normal Heart. Destiny is directed by Ron Schneider, and will run from Friday, September 9th, through Sunday, October 16th.
Tickets are $ 12; seniors and students $ 10.
LOOKING AHEAD. Me and My Girl, called “the freshest and funniest musical to hit Broadway in ages” by Newsweek, opens the Civic Theatre of Central Florida’s MainStage season on Thursday,
September 15th. Call (407) 896-7365 ▼ The Friday, September 23rd performance of La CageAux Folles will be a “FamilyNight Out” to benefit the Rainbow Democratic Club. Tickets are $45, including dinner and show. Call (407) 649-7875 for tickets.▼ Tampa’s 5th Annual International Pride Film Festival will take place at the magnificent Tampa Theatre from Friday, September jqY MCC RAISED OVER $1500 AT THEIR AN-30th to Sunday, October 9th. Call (813) 837-4485 NUAL art AUCTION ON AUGUST 12TH & for more information. 13TH.PICTURED; JOE CLANTON (AS EASEL).
She Mostly UNFAbUL®us Social scjfe s ethan green. ..
My.
Islo iT’S ^P/A GN A SATURDAY Night. Your BEST wFRIEND BUCKY JuST CALLED 7 REPoRT(HoWHE KNOWS THESE TfriNOJ You’ll NEVER FIGURE)THATTHAT CLARINET (PLAYER You TftiNkiSSEXY-TiiE ONEWiTHtfiE ^ TATeeS - WiLL pRobAbLY BE AT ToDP'S PARTY ToNlGHT..:
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WATERMARK / August 31, 1994 19
OUR CULTURE
1
MBA MEETING.
With guest speaker, Erin Somers of “Passion Phones”. Downtown Radisson. 6:30 PM. 420-2182.
COMING OUT UNDER FIRE.
Award-winning documentary about gays in the military. 5:30 PM. Enzian. 644-4662.
THU
THE IMPROBABILITIES.
“Florida’s Freshest Fruit”. Performing at the Eola Theatre.
10:30 PM. 521-7499.
LUAU ‘94. Annual Labor Day Weekend party begins at the Parliament House thru Sept. 5. 425-7571.
FRI
BOXCARS GRAND OPENING. At the railroad car building in Fern Park. Thru Sept. 4. 831-7559.
WHORES OF BABYLON. A return to Sodom & Gomorrah at The Club. Togas optional. 426-0005.
SAT
GAY DAY AT BUSCH GARDENS.
Gay & Lesbian day in the Busch (Gardens, that is), in Tampa. Sponsored by GLCS. 425-4527.
SUN
DELTA YOUTH ALLIANCE. Support group for gay, lesbian and bisexual youth under 22. 6:00 PM. 236-9415.
MON
6
OUT & ABOUT BOOKS. Chill after Labor Day. Let owner Bruce Ground give you attitude. 896-0204.
G.L.C.S. While you’re downtown, check out The Center; Gay Activity Central. 425-4527.
TUE
FAMILY VALUES.
Gay & Lesbian radio on 91.5 FM. Talk, music, news, interviews, entertainment, community events. 646-2398.
ORLANDO
FRONTRUNNERS.
Meet at the red pagoda at Lake Eola. 7:30 PM. 857-1777.
WED
Free Tours and Wine Tasting
Mon-Sat 10-5 PM Sun Noon-5 PM
JUST 30 MINUTES FROM ORLANDO
6 MILES NORTH OF CLERMONT ON U.S. 27 • 1-800-768-WINE
8
PRIMARY ELECTION. Vote.
THU
THE
IMPROVABILITIES.
See Sept. 2.
THE DESTINY OF ME. Opening at The Acting Studio. 8:00 PM. 425-2281.
O’TOWN
HOEDOWN. Southern Country dancefest at the Harley Hotel and Full Moon Saloon. 1-800-859-0518 x.518.
FRI
10
BOWLING. GLBL
begins fall league at Fair Lanes Indian Hills. 831-717L
THE DESTINY OF ME. Continues at the Acting Studio. Thru Oct. 16.
O’TOWN
HOEDOWN. Continues at the Harley Hotel and Full Moon Saloon. Thru Sept. 11.
SAT
11
OBTA. Gay and lesbian round robin tennis. 10:30 AM. 292-8582.
SUN
12
GAYSKATE.
Semoran Skate way in Fern Park. 9:15 PM. 425-4527.
DELTA YOUTH ALLIANCE. See
Sept. 5.
ORLANDO
FRONTRUNNERS.
See Sept. 5.
MON
13
BOWLING. OBBA begins fall league at BowlAmerica Winter Park. 8:00 PM. 644-2244.
TUE
14
FAMILY VALUES.
See Sept. 7.
ORLANDO
FRONTRUNNERS.
See Sept. 7.
WED
OPEN FORI
RIi^nchIm
ill!! MililED
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WATERMARK / August 31, 1994 20
ARTFUL LIVING
backlot bungalow here at Paramount Pictures, I’m faced with an all too familiar dilemma. The script to “Meet Me in Gomorrah” (the studio’s last-ditch effort to save my Hindenburg-like career) has just been delivered and tossed onto my desk like some cheap dress off the clearance rack at Bergdorf’s. Do I read it or torch it?! The stench from the typewriter ink still lingers like Crawford’s signature cologne, "Depression. ”
How could this have happened? I was once the QUEEN of Hollywood - now I’m reduced to fighting for tabloid headlines with Charlene Tilton and Leigh Shannon. Whatever happened to great pictures like “Love On a Pogo Stick”, “Dial S For Suicide”, and “Shut Up Sweet Lurlene”? We didn’t have talent then, we had pussies! If you needed a hit picture, all it took was some "fancy footwork” on the ceiling. But like everything else in life, what goes up must come down. It seems to be hard-knocks time again - better stock up on the bulletproof Aqua Net. Oh, I’m not too worried - there’s always Aaron Spelling. Look what he did for Joan Collins! (Once a C-cup, always a B-girl!) And of course there are the wonderful product-endorsement opportu-
nities for television stars. I can see it now - “This is Lola O’Lay for Gold Bond Medicated Feminine Hygiene Time-Released Laxative Squares (in the “temper-resistant” packaging).” Perhaps Cher has the right idea - stand next to a fat lady and you can’t help but look good!
As bitter as a pot of day-old coffee? You bet! Wouldn’t you be if every career vehicle that came along had a dead battery?. This new writing assignment for Watermark will be just the ticket I need to get back in touch with my fans - the little people. Each issue, I’ll be bringing you juicy bits from the front lines and all the local watering holes of “Hollywood East”. So, mind your P’s and Q’s - information is pouring in by the thimbleful, and I want to share every morsel with you.
Here’s one that’s hot off the press. Hang on to your wigs, Girls! Rumor has it that a certain once-infamous downtown hot spot is currently about to "explode” again...I hope my booth is still available!
Oh, and about that new script - you’re all invited to a barbecue in Bungalow B! Who knows, the next dish served up could be YOU!
Life’s a bitch, and so am I!
Confidential to P.R.: If you want to keep that arm, you’d better keep it off my "novio”!
STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS
• If you’re out and about on Sunday, or any time over the weekend for that matter, make it a point to check out the east shore of Lake Ivanhoe, across from Antique Row. Wild lesbians with jet skis. Shirtless and sweaty gay volleyballers. When did this happen? Why weren’t we told immediately?
• Speaking of out and about, our hero Bruce Ground is converting the back room at his wonderful book store into a coffee shop...the “Stage Door Canteen.” Only a perfect idea. Bruce should be serving you his own special blend by Thanksgiving. We pray every night that we’ll be stuck at Out and About Books if there’s a nuclear holocaust and nobody can go outside for three months. “Is it time to go already?”
• Do you well up with pride every time one of our gay superstars makes a public appearance? Elton, Martina, k.d., Melissa... each time I’ve seen them interviewed, they’ve been articulate, interesting, confident, comfortable, humble, witty and just
TRANSITS & LUNATIONS
plain nice. So much more well-adjusted than those other celebrities.
• Around 8:30 PM, dial up 106.7 FM and listen to “Just Plain Mark” play Guess The Lesbian. Mark gets two women on the phone, one gay and one straight, and asks them some loaded questions: “Who are the Indigo Girls?” “How many times have you seen Fried Green Tomatoes?” “Do you have a tattoo?” A guy contestant is then asked to Guess The Lesbian based on their answers. By all accounts, it’s done in good fun and can be a real hoot (lesbian for “funny”).
• Richard Simmons has replaced Terri Garr as David Letterman’s favorite foil. Personally, we can’t decide if Richard Simmons sitting on his feet in exercise shorts with greasy thighs mooning at David Letterman is a positive development in gay evolution or not. But we think it is.
• TCTBT...the kinda short but incredibly hunky mail guy at the front counter of the downtown post office.
DEB
BLECHMAN
FOR COUNTY COURT JUDGE • ORANGE COUNTY • GROUP 5
■ BRINGING
COMMON SENSE & DIGNITY TO THE COURTROOM
■ WORKING TOWARDS A SAFE COMMUNITY
ASTROLOGY
ARIES (March 21-April 19): You must give and take, stubborn one. Communications with significant others, particularly children, may touch your last nerve. Be flexible and focus on mutual values, not pesky details. Career matters are murky, but swallow hard and let others shine. Your eighth house is active, so watch yourself regarding sex and finances. The full moon on the 9th will shake up your unconscious. Attend to it.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You’re a fixed earth sign, but its time for a personal tectonic shift. We’re not talking a change in hair color. Take a trip and make that big decision you’ve been pondering. You’re ripe (rotting?) for a relationship of substance. Look for inner beauty...really. But by all means hide yptif^n-trolling nature. Let her pick the movie. Let him choose the restaurant. Then keep your mouth shut.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): We’ve all had times like Si&se. They suck. Get through it and move on. Focus on monetary:|||J sues and avoid confronting past, present or potential playtSJfe. If you can muster the energy, you may want to considef|vlethe£ | professional dissatisfaction is the source of your angst* Coming attractions...the return of your sex drive. |
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Mars is passing ovei the Sum1 Hide your credit cards. Avoid Park Avenue. Instead, use tbit energy in a flurry of dating activity. If you’re already “involved,” make sure you’re getting what you want. On all levels, corilfhii-nicate clearly and rationally. Parents may disagree with ypn, particularly about matters related to children. But if you’ve been pondering a visit to the sperm bank, you go girl.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Time and money are on your side, so go ahead and take that muebrdispussed trip with a special friend. But don’t venturejpo far; a Bice guest hoiise in the Keys, dear, not Monte Capb^a^c^ib PlrticuIar should not ignore health concerns. Those achy joints may reflect nutritional deficiencies. . .or ig||tf anyone wants to tell you how to spend your money, tell thefn to kips off. £* ~V, V; .s, ^
VIRGO (A(||l2|*Sept. 22): So many details! .li©w;o^jou df it all? you can’t. No one can* so loosen up cm family, friends::® neighbors. MeahwhilBliil' •
sw^M^BMlfrfesultin^fire^&ikS; Sex, romancl times mit your fingertips, so.^^^rd ber
swept away. If you help from a flieSd, ybuilget U LIBRA (Sept 2Mlci 22): Spell for me, please. 8-A-L-A-N-;|>E. You rpakej®|rs happy*same for"' yourselLY^uhajllthe knowhow. |§fu. have the%chh<|tigy|Brace|
Ii^9liiil»vihg,;do it. You have aboit as much c&aner of sparking a romance right now as tt :;tq:|^q|Mftrreer fulfillment issues. :
j||QpRPIi6 (Oct 23-Nov. 21): You’re in a very rewardmg-^®!* transformation, and beauty are indicated. Ypu’te " more:chi|ged up than the Energizer bunny, so don’t fight t|a|:p. impulse tb redecorate. And if you’ve ever thought about “cos-: metic enhancement”, now’s the time.. ;a good excuse to tmf|l|l Watch ter an unexpected invitation. Also watch vour waisItelL dear, ‘nuff said. ' 1l
BY MARK LAWH0N
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): There’s upheaval on the home front ‘cause you’re way overdue for some changes. Courage. Look inside.. .and you know exactly what I mean. Like Jim and Tammy Faye, it may be time for a “values and priorities” makeover. But don’t get down, get creative. On the lighter side, you’ll have recreational opportunities and the energy to enjoy them.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Your personal austerity is filially pushing you over the edge. Step back, step aside, it’s time tb dance. Life is like the Tower of Terror; scary but fun. Worry about counting calories later. If you meet someone special, and very well may, take the chance. Friends and family are be-tt®|pu. A small caution...avoid signing anything binding for ’now, ,
MQftitlUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Think Auntie Marne, Aquar-:ishs,bcb|use a little grandiosity is appropriate. Don’t stifle it. Draw Qgiiyour unconscious (it’s particularly accessible to you and don’t feel constrained to make sense to the rest of bill’s time to begin converting those utopian dreams to reality. God knows you’ll have the energy, and we less astrologically fall into line.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): With this month’s lunation in Pisces* it’s an excellent time to look in the mirror and ask yourself w® this person really needs other than an eyebrow pluck. No jbaiterbow nervous it makes you, seek nothing short of inner ®fte; lYithout major doses of self-discipline, your life will al-:^M®rtainly suck for a while. Friends may seem a little fickle, but Biat’s them and not you, dear.
Mark Lawhon is certified by the American Federation of Astrologers, and is 407-894-1506.
A. Miller
Aaron Spelling
ACLU
Alison Bechdel
American Civil Liberties Union
Ander Crenshaw
Ann Derflinger
April Gustetter
Arthur Laurents
Averill
Bahia Shrine Auditorium
Barry Barlow
Bart R. Zarcone
Bearse
Bill Clinton
bisexual
Biyce Ward
Bob Carr
Bob Perry
Bob Sindler
Boone High School
Bruce Ground
Butler
Cafe Tu Tu Tango
Calvin Klein
Carolyn H. T. Cosby
Cecil Ray Deloach
Charlene Tilton
Charles Robb
Charles S. Robb
Childress
Chris Dahn
Chuck Robb
Chuck Robbs
Colleen Ashton
Crenshaw
Dahn
Danitra Vance
Dave Almeida
David Letterman
Debbie Boone
Debbie Simmons
Dimitri Toscas
Dindon
Don Reid
Donnelly
Doug Jamerson
Duke Vanderbilt
Edwards
Edyth Bush
Eileen Wright
Eola Theatre
Eric Orner
Erin Somers
Fern Park
Fran Pignone
Frank Jordan
Full Moon Saloon
G. K. Fowler
Gary L. Formet
Gary Siegel
gay
George Hearn
Glenda Hood
Grahn
Gretchen Chateau
Harley Hotel
Harmony Brenner
Harvey Fierstein
Helena Bonham Carter
Hillary Clinton
homosexuality
homosexuals
Hopkins
Hugh Grant
Jeff Goodgame
Jerry Falwell
Jerry Herman
Jerry Murtha
Joan Collins
Joe Clanton
John Connon
John Doe
John Holland
John K. Tanner
John R. McKernan
Jonathan Holingshead
Jonathan Winters
Karen Gievers
Katherine V. Forrest
Katie Messmer
Keith Peterson
Ken Connor
Ken Kundis
Kenney
Kip Watson
Laurence Sheldon
Laurie Anderson
Lawton Chiles
lesbians
Leslea Newman
Lew Brooks
LGBT
LGBTQ+
Linda Chapin
Lorena Bobbit
Lumley
Mable Butler
Maitland
Mardi Gras
Mark Matthews
Mark Thompson
Mark Two Dinner Theater
Martin Kunz
Martin Lheureaux
Marvin Liebman
Mary Sager
Mel White
Michael Bronski
Michael Fuchs
Michael L. Kilgore
Mike Williams
Mr. Hotlanta
Nan Schultz
National Coming Out Day
Natural Born Killers
Naval Training Center Orlando
Norman Rockwell
O. J. Simpson
Oliver L. North
Oliver Stone
orange county
Orange County Commission
orlando
Parliament House
Pat Decker
Pat Robertson
Pete Wilson
Peter Marshall
Pickman
Pignone
queers
questioning
R. A. Bach
Rainbow Democratic Club
Republican Party
Richard Simmons
Richard Thomas Ballet
Rob Eichberg
Robert Altman
Robin Leach
Rocky Ward
Roger McDonald
Rogers
Ron Schneider
Rosanne Sloan
Ross
Rupert Everett
Sam Singhaus
same-sex
Sandra Ross
Sara Gilbert
Sarano
Southern Nights
Stonewall
Streicher
Tammy Faye
Terri Garr
The Destiny Of Me
The Watermark
Thomas Tempia
Todd Lee Piorier
Tom Dorman
Tom Dyer
Tommy Lee Jones
Tony Childress
trans
transgender
Walt Disney World
Ward
Winter Park
Winter Park High School
Winter Springs
Woody Harrelson
Yvonne Vassell
Zarcone
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/47bc2da801517f6b9dab14bae2dab29e.pdf
1c849bf745ac833527425bf774e093c2
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
Watermark Collection
Alternative Title
The Watermark Collection
Subject
Gay culture--United States
Description
Since 1994, <em>The Watermark</em> has been the cornerstone source of LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) centered news for the Central Florida region. Founded by Tom Dyer in Orlando, the publication began generating bi-weekly issues beginning August 31, 1994. Since then, <em>The Watermark</em> has consistently published newspaper style issues every other Thursday. Gaining traction, the publication expanded in 1995 to include Tampa and, in 1997, <em>The Watermark</em> became a permanent piece of LGBTQ+ culture when the publication initiated the first large-scale Gay Days Weekend event, the Beach Ball at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Before 1999, the publication printed 20,000 copies every week, distributing them to over 500 locations between its two major cities. Following 1999, the publication launched watermarkonline.com shifting to an online publication style. In 2016, Rick Claggett purchased <em>The Watermark</em>.
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/" target="_blank">RICHES Program</a>
Type
Collection
Contributing Project
<a href="http://www.floridalgbtqmuseum.org/%20" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>
<a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/">The Watermark</a>
Curator
Smith, Robert
Cepero, Laura
O'Neal, Rhiannon
Hearn, Nikki
Greene, Quintella
Rodriguez, Sharon
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="http://www.floridalgbtqmuseum.org/%20" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>
External Reference
"<a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/aboutcontact/" target="_blank">About/Contact</a>." WatermarkOnline.com, accessed July 11, 2016. http://www.watermarkonline.com/aboutcontact/.
Document
A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
The Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 4, October 12, 1994
Alternative Title
Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 4
Subject
Gay culture--United States
Description
The fourth issue of <em>The Watermark</em> was published on October 12, 1994, and shifted toward a heavier political focus dealing with national LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) issues. The front page is primarily dedicated to the discussion on the participations of "Gays in the Local Media." The other portion of the front page discusses how local politicians participate in the Metropolitan Business Association (MBA) Forum, notably addressing the political careers of Buddy Dyer (b. 1958) and Fran Pignone. The discussion of the articles and articles on the next page discuss the need to maintain anti-discrimination laws. The issue also addresses the HIV-AIDS Institute disconnecting from the University of Central (UCF_, and the remaining offices of HIV-AIDS Education and the "Info-Maniacs," a peer education program. The issue then continued the trend of publishing international issues such as, Maryland’s decision on Parental Rights for gay parents, San Francisco’s fight for non-discrimination for private businesses, and South Africa’s condemnation of Gay Pride. This fourth issue also saw the return of discussion about parties and circuit life, this time covered in an article about Madis Gras in Australia.<br /><br />Since 1994, <em>The Watermark</em> has been the cornerstone source of LGBTQ+ centered news for the Central Florida region. Founded by Tom Dyer in Orlando, the publication began generating bi-weekly issues beginning August 31, 1994. Since then, <em>The Watermark</em> has consistently published newspaper-style issues every other Thursday. Gaining traction, the publication expanded in 1995 to include Tampa and, in 1997, <em>The Watermark</em> became a permanent piece of LGBTQ+ culture when the publication initiated the first large-scale Gay Days Weekend event, the Beach Ball at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Before 1999, the publication printed 20,000 copies every week, distributing them to over 500 locations between its two major cities. Following 1999, the publication launched watermarkonline.com shifting to an online publication style. In 2016, Rick Claggett purchased <em>The Watermark</em>.
Type
Text
Source
Original 24-page newspaper: <a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank"><em>The Watermark</em></a>, Vol. 1, No. 4, October 12, 1994: Publications Collection, <a href="http://glbthistorymuseum.com/joomla25/index.php?lang=en" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>, Orlando, Florida.
Requires
<a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/reader.html" target="_blank">Adobe Acrobat Reader</a>
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/203" target="_blank">The Watermark Collection</a>, RICHES of Central Florida.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original 24-page newspaper: <a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank"><em>The Watermark</em></a>, Vol. 1, No. 4, October 12, 1994.
Coverage
Orlando, Florida
Richmond, Virginia
Boise, Idaho
Annapolis, Maryland
San Francisco, California
Johannesburg, South Africa
Tampa, Florida
Mooresfield's, Orlando, Florida
Sydney, Australia
Creator
Almeida, David
Brenner, Harmony
Crescitelli, James A.
De Matteis, Stephen
Gasti, Rafael Harris
Gustetter, April L.
Kundis, Ken
Maines, Ted
O'Lay, Lola
Sloan, Rosanne
Toscas, Dimitri
Publisher
<a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank">Watermark Media</a>
Date Created
ca. 1994-10-12
Date Issued
1994-10-12
Date Copyrighted
1994-10-12
Format
application/pdf
Medium
24-page newspaper
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Provenance
Originally published by <a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank">Watermark Media</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank">Watermark Publishing Group</a> and is provided here by <a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank">RICHES of Central Florida</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
<a href="http://glbthistorymuseum.com/joomla25/index.php?lang=en" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>
Curator
Smith, Robert
Cepero, Laura
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="http://glbthistorymuseum.com/joomla25/index.php?lang=en" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>
External Reference
"<a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/aboutcontact/" target="_blank">About/Contact</a>." WatermarkOnline.com, accessed July 11, 2016. http://www.watermarkonline.com/aboutcontact/.
Transcript
FLORIDA'S DISTINCTIVE GAY AND LESBIAN PUBLICATION.
VOLUME 1, NUMBER 4
OCTOBER 12,1994
GAYS IN THE LOCAL MEDIA
FAIR SHAKE OR SHAKEDOWN?
by Rafael Harris Gasti
John Rose and Rev. George Crossley on Channel 24’s Opinion Street.
Whether you’re gay or straight, a well-traveled sophisticate or a couch potato, images of homosexuality are everywhere. From PBS’ pixilated Tales of the City, to Channel 2’s investigative report on homosexual encounters in public parks, to The Orlando Sentinel's “Woman Seeks Woman/ Man Seeks Man” TelePersonals, these images are beamed into living rooms and bedrooms and delivered to front doors. For many, these images alone define gay and lesbian experience.
The influence of the media, particularly television, on popular culture can hardly be overemphasized. This is particularly true when media images are not balanced by real life experience. In Central Florida, these media images of homosexual experience have enormous power, because gay culture and political influence are emergent, and a conservative climate still dissuades many from coming out to family and friends.
And make no mistake.. .in the media business, where patronage reflects profits and where viewers and readers mean dollars, images of homosexuality are enormously popular. At once sexual and political, titillating and avant garde, news stories and dramatizations addressing elements of gay experience are commonplace; a sweeps week staple. But are these images balanced? Do they truly reflect gay and lesbian experience?
Three local gay activists, John Rose, Saviz Shafaie, and Brian Arbogast de Hubert-Miller, have made it their mission to research and then address these issues, in letters and phone calls,
and in the board rooms of local media outlets. Their combined experience is both interesting and instructive.
Gay advocate John Rose, a native of Orlando, speaks adamantly about the issue of censorship and the need for a diverse, gay-affirming media in Central Florida. Years of activism have mellowed Rose somewhat, but a glimpse of his renowned verbal fireworks is always near the surface. Despite shortcomings, he notes with pleasure that “there has been soTrie substantial improvement concerning gays in the local media.”
Brian Arbogast de Hubert-Miller, a Community Advisory Board member at WMFE-Channel 24, was more guarded in his assessment of the local media. He maintains pointedly that “money talks,” and that money and politics in conservative Central Florida can be used against the unpopular or unempowered to trivialize and render them invisible.
Meanwhile, with the demeanor of a thoughtful pacifist, fellow Channel 24 Community Advisory Board member Saviz Shafaie notes that local media have moved away from a focus solely on the exotic and bizarre, like sex crimes and extremes in self-expression. He lauds the appearance of “some gay-sensitive material rather than none,” and he is cautiously optimistic about the future.
Supporting Shafaie’s optimism, Rose pride-fully notes the recent progress made at PBS affilliate Channel 24. (Note, Channel 24 was
Continued Page 8
CANDIDATES MEET FOR MBA FORUM
< Echoing Mmionofgay$
and lesbians, candidates for local elected office joined in a Candidates Forum sponsored by the Metropolitan Business Association, Thursday October 6 at the
Moderator Tom Dyer opened the forum, which featured a five minute presentation by each candidate followed by a brief question and answer period,: by explaining his criteria for choosing a candidate and issued that as a challen^ to each of the present-
ers, ^
“Before 1 consider voting for any person for any office, I ask myself it this is someone who will work to eradicate discrimination against gays and lesbians. And if it is not, 1 will not vote for them,H Dyer said,
, The first to meet Dyer’s challenge was Orange County Chairman candidate Fran Pignone, who has been an outspoken advocate of the gay and lesbian community, attending June’s Pride Parade as well as the Spectrum Awards. . , Continued Page 8
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LOCAL & STATE NEWS
DRIVER’S LICENSE APPLICANTS OFFERED HIV TEST
FORT MYERS (AP) - Lee County, which offered HIV tests at a high school health fair three years ago, is now setting up testing facilities at its driver’s license office. The county will become thie first in the state to offer the tests to people applying for a driver’s license. Testing began last week.
“It’s our belief the only way to combat this disease in an effective prevention program is to get out to the population,” said Mark Geisler, executive director of the County AIDS task force.
The tests are given in a small motor home belonging to the Lee County Public Health Unit on Fridays. The test costs $30. It will be free to anyone unable to pay. Results are confidential and take about three weeks. Lee County has 760 reported AIDS cases.
FORMER ORLANDO AN HEADS STONEWALL CINCINNATI
Former Orlando resident and gay activist, Cindy L. Abel, has been selected as the Executive Director of Stonewall Cincinnati. Cincinnati was thrust into the political spotlight in 1989, when local politicians sought to censor an exhibit of works by respected gay photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Since then, conservatives and gay activists in Cincinnati have clashed repeatedly.
Abel owned a marketing and public relations firm in Orlando, and served as vice president of the Rainbow Democratic Club. She was also a board member of the Metropolitan Business Association. She is a member of the Board of Governors of the Human Rights Campaign Fund, and prior to accepting her current position was Director of the Privacy Project, and chair of Floridians United Against Discrimination.
Stonewall Cincinnati is a non-profit organization specializing in education and advocacy on behalf of lesbians and gay men.
HIV-AIDS INSTITUTE ENDS AFFILIATION WITH UCF
The HIV-AIDS Institute is leaving the University of Central Florida after an eight-year relationship. Founded in 1986, the Institute grew out of a grant from the Florida Department of Education and a need for current information on HIV disease. The Institute created UCF’s HIV-AIDS Education Office, which will remain at the university, and “Info-maniacs,” an award-winning peer education program.
Although never officially approved as an institute by the Board of Regents, UCF allowed it to be housed in the College of Health and Public Affairs. Funding for the Institute has come primarily from fund-raisers and grants.
Institute President Sharon E. Douglass stated that the Institute was never content to be campus bound. The Institute is presently seeking new office space. Anyone wishing to help should call (407) 679-9312.
ALACHUANS FIGHT TO KEEP ANTI-DISCRIMINATION PROTECTION
beyoad, Alachua County activists m fighting to maintain a county ordinance which includes sexual orientation in the county’s Human Rights Act
in Match, 1993* barred discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in any county business or employment standards*
Since then, die Concerned Citizens of Alachua County have collected enough signatures to enter two initiatives cm the November 8 ballot. The first —• County Initiative I - would remove the sexual orientation clause from the county’s Human Rights Act The second, Charter Amendment 1, would forever bar the inclusion of sexual orientation in county-wide discrimination protections.
In an effort to fight the Concerned Citizens of Alachua County, die “No On One” Coalition has been formed. According to spokesperson Georg Ketelhohn, “We are building coalitions in Alachua County which include business leaders, clergy* county and city commissioners, and university faculty who will be holding forums and press conferences to discuss too negative impact that such a measure would have on our community, We will also be mounting a media campaign, including radio, television and print advertising, which will get die message out to the voters,” Ketelhohn said.
The Concerned Citizens of Alachua County is rumored to be affiliated, at least unofficially, with the American Family Association and its leader, David
Qrlandoan Carol Bartsch, of the Florida Federal Advocacy Network (FAN) (affiliated with the nationwide Human Rights Campaign Fund], underscores die importance of the Alachua County referendum for the central Florida area. “As a university community* Alachua County is perceived as more progressive, We believe that die AFA thinks that if they can win in Alachua, it will only get easier for them, Orlando may very well be die next target,” Bartseh said,
House parties will be held in Orlando and across the state in the coming weeks to brief people on the events in Alachua County and to raise money for the effort to fight the initiative.
For more information on Oriandohouse parties to support“NoOnOne,“ contact Carol Bartsch at (407) 293-0240,
CANDIDATES
From Page 1
Pignone’s opponent in the November 8 election, incumbent Linda Chapin, declined, citing a previous engagement. Chapin did however send Shawn Rader, a friend of the chairman’s, to apologize for her absence.
Pignone spoke warmly of the gay and lesbian community as the emotional center of her candidacy.
“When I come to speak at a group like this, I’m at my most personal, my most emotional,” Pignone said. “You are my heart and soul.”
Pignone was at her most passionate when asked about the fate of culture and the arts in Orange County. As a lifelong devotee of opera, Pignone was one of the few county commissioners who voted to allot the last $50,000 in an attempt to save the symphony. She was saddened the attempt failed.
“Intuitively, I think it is easier to keep an institution alive than it is to recreate it. I know that we must try to keep these things — the arts, dance, opera — alive to give the people of our community, particularly the young people, options and outlets,” Pignone said.
County Commission District 6 incumbent Mabel Butler, however, was not as supportive of such a measure when she rose to give her presentation.
“I’m a B.B. King fan myself,” Butler said. Then turning more serious, Butler said that a county-funded institution like the symphony would better serve the entire community if it was made accessible to all of the citizens of the county.
“If the taxpayers of Orange County are going to pay for something like a symphony, bring it to all of the people. Don’t just leave it to those who can afford to pay for it,” Butler said.
During her remarks, Butler empathized with the gay community, saying that her life has been lived in the shadow of discrimination. She indicated she would be support-
ive of any measure that would ensure the protection of the rights of ays and lesbians.
“I’ve been discriminated against all my life.. .be it black.. .be it woman. I’m not for any kind of discrimination,” Butler said.
Butler’s opponent, Charlene Mitchell, did not respond to MBA’s invitation.
One of the warmest responses of the evening was reserved for Deborah Blechman, candidate for County Judge Group 5. As a long-time supporter of the gay and lesbian community, Blechman has become a regular figure at a number of gay and lesbian functions.
“I doubt there is anyone here who has not heard me speak,” she joked. Later in her remarks, she commented on the dilemma that is faced by candidates who publicly declare their support of gay and lesbian issues.
“When I received my invitation and saw that all of the candidates would be there, I thought ‘Oh, no.. .the mainstream press will be there.’ I wasn’t sure I had the courage to do it. I said to [Rainbow Democratic Club board member] Mark Anderson ‘Don’t make me target practice.’ When I got home,
COUNTY CHAIRMAN CANDIDATE FRAN PIGNONE: “You are my heart and soul.”
I was ashamed of myself for that...The problem is that there is a climate of hate andmtmeranceout there that is very frightening, even for me as a candidate,” Blechman said.
Blechman’s opponent, George Winslow, declined MBA’s invitation.
The forum attracted both candidates in only one race: Circuit Court Judge, Group 28. Roger McDonald, who has previously addressed MBA, spoke first. He discussed his position on gay and lesbian issues, as well as his support of Florida’s current privacy laws.
“We are lucky that in Florida we have one of the very few state constitutions which specifically refers to a right of privacy. The interpretation of that right will be left in the hands of the circuit and appellate court judges in the coming years. I am a firm believer in the right of privacy for all the citizens of the state, not just selected groups,” McDonald said.
McDonald’s opponent, Bob Wattles, followed him at the podium. In his candidacy, Wattles has declared that he will not accept campaign contributions from lawyers or
STATE SENATOR BUDDY DYER: “[ask why] some candidates aren’t here.”
law firms.
“As a judge, i must oifey »*Uit)fiaato gy,.
even playing field. Tcannotbe beholden to
anyone who comes into my courtroom,”he said during his remarks.
Incumbent District 14 State Senator Buddy Dyer was confrontational during his impromptu presentation.
“I’m not as polite as some of the other candidate who are here. I think you should think about what it means that some candidates aren’t here,” Dyer said. Dyer also railed against a wave of intolerance that exists in the Florida legislature.
“People like [State Senator] Ander Crenshaw can say something like ‘I won’t knowingly hire any gay people’ and somehow that is alright. It’s outrageous,” Dyer said.
Nancy Patterson, Dyer’s opponent, declined MBA’s invitation.
The final speaker in the forum was also its most emotional. Louise Ray, candidate ler State Representative, District 33, has made gay rights a central issue in her campaign to unseat Marvin Couch, who declined MBA’s invitation to attend.
WATERMARK / October 12, 1994 4
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS
GAYS NATIONWIDE WORK TO RE-ELECT ROBB IN VIRGINIA
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Homosexuals across the country are working to re-elect Sen. Charles S. Robb, whom they regard as a leader with the courage to condemn discrimination against gays despite the obvious political risks. The Human Rights Campaign Fund, a national gay political action group based in Washington, has made Robb’s campaign against Republican nominee Oliver North one of its top priorities.
“The radical right views Chuck Robb’s convictions on lesbian and gay equality as a weakness, and will attempt to use this against him to defeat him,” executive director Tim McFeeley wrote members. “We need to prove that Chuck Robb can beat the radical right this year in Virginia.” The fund has contributed the maximum allowable, $10,000, and several members of the fund have held private fund-raisers, McFeeley said.
David Mixner, a gay-rights leader from California, mailed an appeal to several thousand homosexuals nationwide soliciting contributions for Robb.
At Richmond’s annual Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade earlier this month, some participants said they were motivated as much by support for Robb as they were by opposition to North. Robb, a Marine company commander in Vietnam, has spoken out for efforts to include gays in the military, provided they don’t engage in behavior that is disruptive or bad for morale. North, a Marine who also served in Vietnam, has been a strident critic of gays in the military, sending out fund-raising appeals that described President Clinton as “the point man...for the radical homosexual lobby.”
OPPONENTS OF ANTI-GAY PROPOSAL GAIN LEAD
BOISE, Id. (AP) - Opponents of the controversial Idaho anti-gay initiative have pulled out in front in their campaign against the Idaho Citizens Alliance, according to a new public opinion poll.
The poll, conducted for KTVB-TV in Boise, KHQ-TV in Spokane, Wash., and The Spokesman-Review newspaper’s Idaho edition, said 44 percent opposed the proposition while 35 percent supported it. The remaining 21 percent said they were undecided. The poll of 808 randomly selected registered voters had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. The survey was conducted during the final three days of September.
The results on the anti-gay initiative, which would prohibit state or local laws protecting homosexuals from discrimination, were in direct contrast to another independent survey conducted about five weeks earlier. That poll by Greg Smith and Associates and Tracy Andrus had 49 percent of the respondents favoring the initiative and 43 percent opposing it with a margin of error of just under five percentage points.
Supporters of the initiative, which drew only a few thousand more valid signatures than required to win ballot status, say it is a pre-emptive strike against what they call the gay agenda. They claim it will only prohibit homosexuals from receiving special rights. But critics, who include virtually every civic and political leader in the state, have called it a bigoted, divisive proposal that would actually strip homosexuals of their basic civil rights.
Because of the strident language being used in the debate, some analysts are concerned that the undecided bloc in all the polls are actually supporters who do not want to admit to holding a position that many see as hateful.
MARYLAND APPEALS COURT TO DECIDE VISITATION RIGHTS OF GAY FATHER
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - David K. North can visit his three daughters for several hours on the weekend, during the daytime only. No holidays, no overnight visits.
That’s because a judge doesn’t believe the gay, HIV-positive North - now living with his lover - can be trusted to hide his homosexuality from his children.
North’s appeal of that 1993 ruling has given the Maryland Court of Special Appeals its first chance to decide whether homosexuality is a reason to limit the rights of a parent. “It’s a very important question. We need more loving parents rather than fewer, and to disqualify a homosexual because of that status is a pretty outrageous thing to do,” said Stuart Comstock-Gay, head of the American Civil Liberties Union in Maryland, which is helping represent North.
North’s former wife, Kathryn Dionne North, had sought to terminate his visitation rights completely after learning that her ex-husband, a former Baptist minister, is gay. Instead, a judge denied North overnight visits with the girls, ages 9, 6 and 3, letting him have unsupervised visits on Saturdays and Sundays.
In 21 of 25 states where the issue has been decided at the appellate level, courts ruled that a parent’s rights cannot be limited solely because he or she is homosexual and living with a lover, said Natalie H. Rees, a lawyer appointed by the appeals court to represent the girls. In June, the Virginia Supreme Court overturned a judge’s ruling denying a lesbian custody of her son. The judge had ruled that being a lesbian made her an unfit mother.
Mrs. North allowed liberal visits until North told her in 1992 that he is gay and that he and friend, David York, were involved in a relationship.
One reason Circuit Judge Audrey Melbourne cited in limiting North’s visitation rights was that he could not be trusted since he continued to have sex with his wife after learning he had the AIDS virus. “The court finds that the defendant is not candid, is not responsible and is deceitful,” Melbourne said. “The court will therefore not trust defendant’s promise not to display his homosexual lifestyle to the children.”
Gerald Solomon, one of North’s lawyers, agreed it was wrong for North to continue having sex with his wife. But Solomon said North’s ability to care for the children is all that matters in the pending dispute. And the lawyer noted that state social and mental health workers said North was a good father and the girls enjoyed their visits with him and York. Both agencies supported liberal visitation rights. North said Thursday he did not know when the court would rule on his appeal.
North wants his daughters for overnight visits, holidays and vacations and said he would not do anything that might expose them to the virus.
The former minister, who once preached that homosexuality is a sin, also wants to tell his children that he is gay and would like his former wife to join the discussion. “But given her adamant feelings about the evils and abomination of homosexuality,” he said, “that’s just not going to happen.”
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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS
DISCRIMINATION SUIT AGAINST GOLF CLUB REINSTATED BY GAY MAN
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A discrimination suit by a gay man against a golf club that rejected his membership application has been revived by a state appeals court.
Thomas Sherck said his sponsors withdrew their support of his membership application to the California Golf Club of San Francisco after learning he was homosexual, because the club did not want homosexuals as members. He sued both the club and his sponsors, Dennis and Ray Youngdahl, under the state’s Unruh Act, which prohibits businesses from discriminating against customers on various grounds. State courts have ruled that discrimination based on sexual orientation is banned by the law.
The club, which is based in South San Francisco, argued that Sherck was rejected solely because his application was not sponsored by two members, as its bylaws required. A San Mateo County Superior Court judge agreed with those arguments and dismissed the suit, but it was reinstated by the 1st District Court of Appeal in a ruling made public Thursday.
Sherck quoted the club’s membership committee as asking him whether a bar that he owned was a “straight bar.” That evidence, which was rejected as irrelevant by the Superior Court judge, is relevant to the question of whether Sherck was excluded because of his homosexuality, the court said.
Sherck also said a friend quoted Dennis Youngdahl as saying, “How dare you ask us to bring in a gay guy?” Though it is hearsay, that statement is admissible against the club, as a “declaration against interest,” because the Youngdahls were the club’s representatives, the court said.
RELIGIOUS PROTESTERS CONDEMN GAY PARADE
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) - Hundreds of people, some dressed or cross-dressed in wild clothes and colors, marched through Johannesburg on Saturday to celebrate gay and lesbian rights in post-apartheid South Africa. A handful of religious protesters condemned the marchers, but the procession was mostly a festive affair that ended with a party in a city park.
Paul Stobbs, chairman of the Johannesburg gay and lesbian pride parade, said South Africa’s new constitution was the only one in the world that prohibited discrimination against sexual orientation. The constitution took effect with the nation’s first all-race election in April that ended white rule and brought Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress to power. Similar marches have occurred in previous years despite South Africa’s strong religious heritage that condemns homosexuality.
To a heavy disco drumbeat, the male and female marchers - some dressed in satin, lace or leather - snaked through downtown streets to the amusement of most onlookers and the dismay of others.
“Sodomites, turn or bum, Jesus saves lives,” said a placard held by one protester. A marcher hit at a poster and organizers had to prevent other scuffles from breaking out. Reacting to heckling from protesters, a group of women marchers chanted: “Two, four, six, eight, how do you know your wife is straight?”
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HEALTH & HIV NEWS
TEST MAY HELP MEASURE EFFECTIVENESS OF AIDS TREATMENT
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (AP) - A new test for measuring how much of the HIV virus an infected person is carrying could help scientists determine what treatments are best for controlling the virus that causes AIDS.
“It is possible, and I think probable, that these tools may be able to predict more accurately which treatments will be most effective in managing HIV infection,” said Dr. James Rooney, associate director of the infectious diseases department at RTP’s Burroughs Wellcome Co. The British drug company discovered AZT, the first treatment for AIDS.
Scientists say the standard blood test now used to detect AIDS is reliable, but may not detect antibodies until several months after the virus has invaded the body. It also does not work for the newborn babies of HIV-positive parents.
A new test created by scientists at Roche Biomedical Laboratories has been able to detect the virus before antibodies appear, said Dr. Bruce McCreedy, the company’s director of infectious diseases and clinical trials. The test became available in April and is one of two methods for measuring a patient’s “viral load” - the amount of genetic material from HIV in the blood plasma.
Roche Molecular Systems is in the early stages of developing a test kit allowing doctors and researchers to use the new technology. The test is now only available as a paid service through the company.
STUDY DETERMINES MOTHER TO CHILD AIDS SPREAD
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - A study of AIDS-infected mothers found that the more virus they carry in their blood, the greater the chance they will pass it on to their babies just before birth or during delivery.
The research suggests that checking a mother’s viral levels during pregnancy can guide doctors in choosing the right drugs to protect the unborn.
It also helps explain why only about 1 in 4 infected mothers not treated with anti-AIDS drugs actually passes the virus on.
AIDS infections in newborns are particularly devastating, often killing youngsters much faster than adults who catch the virus. Recently, doctors have found that giving pregnant women the AIDS drug AZT can significantly lower the transmission rate, from 25 percent to 8 percent.
Dr. Barbara Weiser of the New York state Health Department presented the latest work, conducted on 27 HIV-infected pregnant women, at a conference Wednesday of the American Society for Microbiology held in Orlando.
Currently, pregnant women who are infected receive AZT pills beginning at 14 weeks of pregnancy and intravenous AZT during labor. Babies also receive the drug during their first six weeks of life.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 6,600 HIV-infected women gave birth last year, and they had 1,720 infected babies.
The CDC’s Dr. Susan F. Davis said that if all of them had gotten AZT, as many as 1,200 of these newborn infections could have been prevented.
Doctors believe the risk of transmission from mother to child is highest late in pregnancy and during childbirth.
HISPANIC WOMAN WARNS COMMUNITY OF ITS ENHANCED RISK
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Stubborn cultural traditions increase the risk of AIDS in the Hispanic community, says a Tampa-area woman.
Maria Caride, 27, has educated herself since she being positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, in 1990. Now she goes anywhere she can to educate Hispanics about AIDS prevention. But education is difficult in a culture where talk of sexuality and condom use is taboo, she said. “I was never taught about sex and condom use. If someone would have taught me about safe sex, I wouldn’t be in this situation now.”
Hispanics are contracting the disease faster than any other ethnic group, according to the U.S. surgeon general.
While Hispanics make up about 10 percent of the nation’s population, they account for 19 percent of AIDS cases in the country. And, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Hispanic women represent one-third of all new AIDS cases.
Hispanic AIDS activists say until Hispanics overcome cultural differences and shatter the stigma associated with the disease, the numbers will only get worse.
Women in Hispanic families simply don’t talk about sex, activists say. Hispanic men present a different set of problems, they say. Attitudes about sex are often primitive, and
males are encouraged to be dominant. The Latin machismo eschews condoms - studies show Latin men just won’t wear them, the Hispanic activists complain. Then there is the influence of the Roman Catholic church, which has espoused abstinence over condoms.
“Hispanics prefer to cover up the problem instead of dealing with it,” said Hispanic AIDS activist Olga Companioni of Tampa.
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WATERMARK / October 12, 1994 7
BUSINESS
BUSINESS PROFILE
by April L. Gustetter
THE VERANDA
|p.Fburteeo ojontdrs'
the city ofiQrlando, In Feburary of this year, that changed/ Colb^ was;:i|^riruEMfc^!|f :
fortunately Blair and bis business partner, Steve Norris, coaid not begin tapping that potential until they knew their legal parameters.
Directly due to Biair’s perseverance, the laws necessary to own and operate . 'such ah establishment were passed on February 21,1994, Subsequently he and Steve begap renovations. .||^';||d
doyn^?w^ It is now this city’s first legitimate bed-and breakfast
“It took going to City Ball every day for eight months, but we got the laws passed They state that a bed-and-breakfast cart have no more than eight rooms to keep the residential look, and that anything!^ must MIow the standards and pld||^
Owners* Background
. Blair Colby, 27, has worked in the hospitality industry <6r over 5 years, Travelingthrough Ewopeahd
|| Steve Norris* 41, has worked for Northwest Airlines for more than 14 years and. is also experienced
Concept for the Veranda
HI .l|ih|e writing at tlte
the |igher-end Corporate clientele, His clients, such as IBM and Orlando Re-■gibnal ’||i
desire fe have mom luxiu’ipns antj
to be comfortable wlllt ||e |ivera^ie foc^I|
look, not to mention the service. I was getting really frustrated, because 1 was out on .the streets working hard to get these accounts and we couldn’t keep them/’ III 'Thus, the qbykmS'hM'tOprpdM^ initiated. Aceoiding'tp:Blai|:':fe establishments, and ||||§§^
notion bf hanging a sip a*^':'tpltiftg in-
volved footwork of acmaily gpng bed-and-breakfast
III Once the legalities were resolved, consjtru^ip ::
intense* nonstop, get»in«thererand-do-ibwfe jUj
hanging, of the sign d»s very day of the Grand Opening gg$jy on September 10i| 1994. 'Hie transfbrmat!on;fi^:h^ to a high southern style bed-and-breakfast seemedftlp&
lion, location, location. “Steve and I both live in downtown Orlando, so we know ; what a gieatnepborhood isf; anbl|!tbe;$pi|>qf^te|
on Robinson and we wanted itobe knew the neighborhood was goiiig.tOchanp,
'• “We wanted a redly southern, plantation-style home feeling about the place,” Blair added, “and we*re very please<|.;wi^.:lpy ,w|ft ifMi cpe ||l|||jp^*.::: and-groove of course),
swan-neck commode bases* bn-lipc airconditioning, soundproof walls, berber carpet, fine; ait
richly appointed, haven. Each, room has i^::9pspi||||iu|ing;
Southern, and Europa.
Target Market
The Vbranda was bupt primarily for the corporate traveler, but as Blair ex-plained, “that usually
on the weekends, but because we Cap pstly?;p>. t||Mp^ate ;ippch|||9n|a^; through Friday is our busiesttime.
II “We don’t want to limit ourselves to Just the corporate traveler, tatgh, We welcome the gay market. espei^i|&llp§1^^
shown an interest in the Veranda, as well - often for family members coming in to do the tourist thing - but business has been so good that many have had to wait to even see the rooms.
Range of Cost
III ThiPgh the end of till
rooms hie
who simply wishes toiavb a ^ondeirful htglit’s'sleep,i|i| possess thd fine touches
The Veranda * 115 N.WmM^rUn Ave* * Orlando * (407) SdmBWM
MORE COMPANIES ADD DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFITS
(AP) - In quest of a better image and better talent, companies are increasingly seeking domestic partner benefits for their employees. Susan Leahy of Blue Cross/Blue Shield MA -Inc., the largest U. S. health insurer to provide domestic partner coverage to customers and employees, explains that, “In a vastly competitive market for health services, companies are looking for ways to attract candidates and maintain a workforce.” Many companies hesitate to insure same-sex couples, worrying that it will increase AIDS claims.
However, Andrew Sherman, vice president of the Segal Co. and one of the forces behind the Blue Cross and Lotus domestic partners coverage, says that gay couples may actually be less expensive to cover because they are often younger and usually don’t have children. Sherman explains that domestic partners coverage is “a recognition of human capital, wanting to have the best employees possible. A lot of companies have already put non-discrimination policies in place and see this as a continuation.”
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WATERMARK / October 12, 1994 8
COVER STORY
LOCAL MEDIA
From Page 1
contacted for this article. Assistant to Executive Vice-President Malcom Wall promised a statement, but none was forthcoming). Rose believes that previous impasses between Channel 24 and Central Florida’s gay community have been turned into a “win-win situation.”
When Tongues Unta documentary about gay blacks, was shown in 1991, Channel 24 received numerous complaints. The documentary was brash and graphic. In your face, so to speak, and while not patently offensive, Rose laughs, “perhaps not wholly representative of the entire gay community.” But then in the summer of 1992, PBS affiliates were offered the much milder drama, The Lost Language of Cranes, a family tale about a gay son and his troubled father who begins to recognize his own homosexual tendencies. The film was never shown by Channel 24, presumably because of a gay kiss and a chaste bedroom scene. Offended by this unacceptable censorship of a widely-praised film, local progressives and gays
Saviz Shafaie: “Gays need to take the initiative.”
organized and demanded to be heard. Challenged outright, Channel 24 set up a series of community meetings. But according to Rose, Channel 24 sought to intimidate the 50 gays and lesbians in attendance by separating them from a “mainstream” liberal group consisting of the ACLU, Central Floridians United Against Censorship, and others committed to free speech issues.
There was a firestorm of criticism, but after a series of meetings protesters were told the film would not be aired on Channel 24. Despite this negative result, Rose feels that consciousness was raised. He described the meeting as the first “give and take” between a local TV station and the progressive/gay community, and a real learning experience for all parties involved.
In particular, Channel 24 learned that they
could negotiate reasonably with this segment of the population, and in fact, they accepted many of the protesters’ proposals. Two representatives from the progressive/ gay community were added to the Channel 24 Community Advisory Board. Importantly, a policy prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was included in Channel 24’s equal employment opportunity guidelines. Rose was quick to assert that for the most part the employees at Channel 24 are gay-friendly. “It’s the management who worry unduly about losing donor support.”
Shafaie remembered the foregoing events very well. But accentuating the positive, he described programming such as Silverlake Life, which he characterized as a “tasteful special” about a gay couple dealing with AIDS. He also noted Bill Moyer’s supportive special on the Colorado anti-gay referendum, and the indefatigable John Rose’s appearance on Channel 24’s locally produced talk show, Opinion Street.
Rose referred to himself as the show’s first “token gay panelist.” The show was heavily edited, but Rose was able to make some points. When guest panelist George Crossley, a fundamentalist preacher, simplis-tically blurred AIDS and homosexuality, Rose jumped. He detailed soundly how the HIV virus is rampant among heterosexuals in sub-Saharan countries in Africa, as well as in the United States. AIDS, he assured Crossley, is a universal disease—not a uniquely gay disease.
Like many PBS affiliates, Channel 24 is a financially tight ship. Rose indicated that the mobile nature of the Central Florida community creates a relative lack of consumer support for public broadcasting, and thus an increased “dependence on local business and foundations.” The same observation was made by Orlando Sentinel columnist and former TV writer Greg Dawson in a recent Watermark interview. Such dependence can lead to undue influence. Homophobic attitudes can creep in and sway programming judgment.
A case in point was the highly rated Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City. Ironically, Tales' twentysomething lead gay character, Michael Tolliver, hails from orange-grove Orlando. The program aired was sanitized.. .pixilated.. .to avoid shocking perceived local sensibilities. What was fuzzed out? A little adult language and brief, shadowy nudity in bohemian San Francisco. Despite the thunderous success of this production nationwide, PBS responded to the outcry of a few conservative Congressmen by cancelling a proposed sequel. Regardless of the package or production, it seems that homosexuality is an uncomfortable issue for local public broadcasting.
Brian Arbogast de Hubert-Miller agrees, but has a stronger assessment of the role played by Channel 24 management. He is adamantly more interested in results...in programming.. .and not surface phraseology. While he conceded that there have been “some technical improvements” in the
Brian Arbogast de Hubert-Miller: “Money Talks.”
management’s recognition of sexual minorities, he avowed that “there has been no progress in programming whatsoever since we [Shafaie and Arbogast] came aboard.” Arbogast was disappointed that Channel 24, citing scheduling and economic difficulties, recently chose not to rebroadcast Tales of the City and The Lost Language of the Cranes. They also chose not to show related interviews with Armistead Maupin and AIDS activist Larry Kramer.
Arbogast depicts Channel 24’s board of trustees as “extremely conservative,” and described himself and Shafaie as being “token members of the Community Advisory Board.” He elaborated that the organization “listens behind the scenes but does nothing up front.” According to Arbogast, Channel 24 is decidely “not proactive” and they repeatedly need to be “prodded.” He underscored the fact that Orlando is a conservative stronghold with little visible gay leadership, unlike New York, Boston, or San
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A recent programming change has thrown an additional kink into the advancement of gay-themed programming at Channel 24. Rose called it “limited purchasing programming,” which means they now buy programming from PBS in blocks, then choose programs from within that block. Arbogast noted that this arrangement may be of “strategic benefit” to the heterosexist Channel 24 Board of Trustees by providing them with “plausible deniability” to “subtly neglect” gay-themed programming; to “backslide while a cadre of conservatives in Congress argue over the direction of PBS.” Channel 24 recently dropped the issue-oriented Point of View, for instance, which included a gay-themed segment. The net result, according to Arbogast, is that reluctant, indifferent, and cautious corporate donors such as SunBank and General Mills are being appeased.
One note of success that Shafaie decribed was the March, 1994, Channel 24 pledge campaign. Openly gay and lesbian volunteers raised $7,349 in audience pledges, exceeding expected goals. Although an audience boycott was mildly anticipated by Channel 24 management, they openly presented the names of a cross-section of gay and lesbian organizations during breaks from a Peter, Paul, and Mary concert.
When questioned about local network affiliates, Channels 2,6 and 9, Rose, Shafaie and Arbogast described a common tendency to sensationalize. On a national level, say with Barbara Walters, there appears to be discernible sensitivity towards gays, but this has not trickled down to the intensely competitive local market.
Arbogast specifically criticized Channel 6, noting that when they report on gays, it is usually with an unnecessarily provincial tone. Rose also jumped on 6, noting that their “tendency to sensationalize inspires the worst bigots.” Channel 6 was also one of the
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WATERMARK / October 12, 1994 9
COVER STORY
Tales of the City. Visually censored by Channel 24.
LOCAL MEDIA
From Page 8
few CBS affiliates to yank Other Mothers, an after-school special about a lesbian couple and their teenage son, from broadcast. Rose characterized this as overreaction to a call-in campaign by fundamentatist Christians. He notes that the special was devoid of any racy or sexual content, unlike the “straight” soaps broadcast the same afternoon.
With respect to Channel 2, Arbogast figuratively rolled his eyes, offering his opinion that the station has “sunk to new lows” with “inflammatory” investigative reports. In a recent sweeps week expose, 2 reporter Scott Hanson looked for sex in public parks and discovered a pair of anonymous “homosexuals.” Rose also bemoaned cashing in with this unrepresentative and misleading titilla-tion. Rose accused Channel 2 of “painting with too wide a brush,” and noted the absence of coverage on the rise of courtship and marriage among lesbians and gay men.
Channel 9 was notably more balanced while openly gay weatherman Burd Bullock was alive, according to Arbogast. Today, he says, treatment of lesbians and gay men on 9 is tolerant, though superficial. But the perceived impact of Bullock’s presence at Channel 9 demonstrates the significance of a surprising fact. Not one of the three local network affiliates includes “sexual orientation” in their employee non-discrimination policies. In fact, rumors aside, there are no openly gay or lesbian local broadcast personalities. Whether consciously or by neglect, the message is clear: sexual minorities are not openly encouraged in local broadcast media.
Orlando’s largest and most influential media outlet, The Orlando Sentinel, also has no specific, codified employment protection based on sexual orientation. Supervisor Chris Austin points out, however, that the Sentinel's owner, the Tribune Company, has a “diversity program which includes some sensitivity training” on minorities, including gays.
In terms of content, the Sentinel is dismayingly inconsistent in its approach towards lesbians and gay men. lire Sentinel has demonstrated balanced coverage and steady improvement in news and editorial content, while remaining timid and provincial in policies relating to advertising.
Arbogast, who plays close attention to the Sentinel's content, states that he has seen “increased coverage” on gay-related events and topics. But he notes that, in terms of headline prominence, placement and pictures, coverage of sex crimes involving two males is still sensational and unbalanced. For example, Dr. William Zink’s high profile and controversial case alleging molestation of young male patients was front page news. Crimes against young female minors are rarely publicized or explored in such detail.
As a result, Arbogast argues, “the public [not only] receives a distorted impression of the nature of sex crimes,” but far worse, the public receives a muted impression of the prevalence of healthy, adult same-sex relationships. In fact, such relationships are largely ignored by the Sentinel.. .except in their lucrative TelePersonals section, where such relationships may be sought for a price.
In a broader context, Arbogast notes that there is “disproportionate coverage of the ‘antisocial’ behavior of minorities,” reinforcing their marginalization and scapegoating as “other” and “not mainstream.” Even so, he observes that newspaper coverage of gay issues has improved, particularly with increased wire service coverage. The Sentinel also recently launched a campaign to recognize diversity and increase coverage of minorities. And specific columnists have consistently written thoughtful columns on gay-related issues. Greg Dawson, Jay Boyar, Bob Morris and Myriam Marquez stand out.
Some Sentinel style policies remain laughably outdated and illogical, however. Although the words “gay,” “lesbian,” and “homosexual” are allowed in news and editorial pieces, Sentinel policy apparently limits or forbids their use in classified ad-
vertising. Repeated attempts to clarify these policies went unanswered, but the experience of two local businesses is instructive. In June of this year, Watermark's editor and publisher, Tom Dyer, attempted to place an employment ad in the Sentinel: “Advertising Sales Manager for gay and lesbian publication.” The ad was accepted but then changed to “alternative lifestyle publication” without notice. Dyer complained, and his original ad was run after he convinced management that the words “gay and lesbian” described the nature of the job, not the employee sought.
Just a month later, Stephen De Matteis of Pre-Flight Travel Services had a similar experience when seeking a “Travel Agent with gay/lesbian travel experience.” Again, the Sentinel had to be convinced to run the ad as requested.
On a more positive note, the Sentinel recently revised its policy regarding the listing of gay companions in obituary notices. It now does so with the permission of the family via funeral directors. Sadly, it may be in the obituaries that healthy gay relationships are first recognized by mainstream media, and that many lesbians and gay men first become visible.
Looking to the future, Rose notes the need for openly gay news people and media board members. He cites the Woodard case (see story this issue) and its impact on the demise of former Orange County Sheriff Walt Gallagher as a positive example of the power of the press to do good for the gay community.
Shafaie calls for gays to “take the initiative [with local media] and speak with a clear voice.” Arbogast warns against prior negative conditioning, and suggests the need to build stronger alliances and coalitions within the gay community. He also observes that in some situations, nothing works like “picketers beating the bushes.” Ultimately, decision makers in local media are governed by both the bottom line and by the limiting psychological dynamics of perceived difference.
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WATERMARK / October 12,1994 10
VIEWPOINT
WATERMARK
Watermark Media, Inc.
©1994
editor / publisher Tom Dyer layout/ managing editor April Gustetter account executive Keith Peterson contributing writers Michael L. Kilgore, G. K. Fowler, Harmony Brenner, Nan Schultz,
R. A. Bach, Dimitri Toscas,
Jim Crescitelli, Mark Lawhon, Yvonne Vassell, Ken Kundis,
Rafael Gasti, Leslea Newman, Rosanne Sloan, Joe Sarano photographers & illustrators Alison Bechdel, Eric Orner,
Russell Tucker, student contributors Robert Holland, Katie Messmer,
Tera Kenney, Mike Williams
CONTENTS of WATERMARK are protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher. Unsolicited article submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Although WATERMARK is supported by many fine advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers.
Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles, advertising, or listing is WATERMARK is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or members of such organizations (unless, of course, sexual orientation is stated specifically).
WATERMARK is published every second Wednesday, except the first week in January and the second week in July. Subscription rates are $35.00 (third class).
ThA c fficial views of WATERMARK are expressed only in editorials. Opinions offered in signed columns, letters and articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the newspaper’s owner or management. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication.
WATERMARK is not responsible for damages due to typographical errors, except for the cost of replacing ads that have such errors.
WATERMARK P.O. Box 533655 Orlando, FL 32853-3655 TEL 407.481.2243 FAX 407.481.2246
;■ WaterMark welconi^s your •: Letters to the Editoiv^til
I!
editing for content and 5; length. Let&rsifehjdSl sent to:
0. Box;5336^1i®ll Orlando, |i|||||i||||
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
I read with interest your article in Issue 1.02 entitled “Gayby Boom.” I’ve wanted children for 20 years! I’m not sure how to go about it. I am single, secure and mature. Plus my job allows plenty of time. Do you know of any database or groups or some way of getting people together like myself who want to have kids other than the conventional way? I’d like to know. Thanks.
Scot
We’re not aware of any groups like the one you described, but we suggest you con-
tact GLCS at 425-4527 and post something with them. You may also want to use CompuWho (advertised in this issue) as a data source. Also take a look at our classified ads for a kindred spirit.
Editor
Thank you for sharing the story of our August 15 wedding. We both felt honored (and flattered) to appear on the front page story last issue. Gary Fowler did a terrific job putting that piece together. We really enjoyed doing the interview. What a
friendly and professional staff you have at Watermark!
After we saw the front page photo, however, we realized we had neglected to give credit to our wedding photographer. She did such a fantastic job and the photos came out great. If you need a photographer, for a wedding or otherwise, we recommend her to you: Astarita Art & Photo.
One wonderful side aspect of the wedding was discovering the number of resources available within our community. For example, we registered for gifts at Scott Laurent Galleries in Winter Park. They welcomed our patronage.
Shelbie Press printed our wedding invitations. They made us feel completely relaxed and comfortable as we made our choices of paper, ink, etc. Where in the world would you go for same sex wedding invitations?
There are so many who helped make our wedding a success. To our family and friends, we thank you. And to those of you in our community who provided the much needed and appreciated services, thanks for being there.
(Mrs.) Carol Bartsch & Kim Newton
Best wishes and remember to announce
your first anniversary with us.
Editor
Dear Miss O’Lay,
I want to let you know how much I enjoy your column. Your work gives Watermark balance. In fact, I did NOT appreciate the reader’s letter that appeared in Watermark assailing your column. I would like to tell that person to his face that he would NOT be able to write letters to Gay publications had it not been for the efforts of the people who frequented the Stonewall on that fateful night in 1969. What the Gay community does not need at the present time is divisiveness; what it DOES need is a more tolerant attitude... all for one and one for all... as well as a sense of humor.
I always believe in giving credit when credit is due. Keep up the good work!
Most Sincerely,
Jim C.
Miss O’Lay conveys her appreciation. She lives for her fans. If you would like an autographed 8x10 glossy, send $2 and a self-addressed scented envelope do this publication.
Editor
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WATERMARK / October 12,1994 11
VIEWPOINT
DONALD
by James A. Crescitelli
You never know whether or not the last time you see somebody is going to truly be the LAST time. We humans are blessed with brains and emotions and the capacity to love, but are nonetheless incapable of predicting the events in our lives.
Everybody had a best friend in high school, and mine was Donald. We debuted as gay teenagers in our senior year and immediately began sneaking off to the bars. We were young New Yorkers in the early ‘seventies, able to do anything, and the city was our oyster.
We thought we were the most enticing creatures on earth. Week after week, month after month, we posed and preened and drank innumberable gallons of white wine, all in pursuit of, hopefully, being noticed.
We rarely were. Glamorous and sophisticated as we appeared to one another, we invariably ended up on the subway with only each other, heading back to Brooklyn.
“There’s something wrong with us,” Donald said one night as we left the West Village. “We spend too much time with each other looking AT men instead of concentrating on looking FOR men.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” I yawned.
“People must think you and I are lovers, because we’re always together.”
“Yeah.”
It was true; we went to school together and cruised the clubs together; we had dinner with each other, went to Broadway, the movies, galleries...
“We’re lovers without the sex,” Donald
decided another time. “Right?”
I agreed, “Sad, isn’t it?”
The few times we did manage to meet somebody were when Donald or I found ourselves alone for a few minutes, usually when one of us had to use the restroom. Then the suitors would pounce - never the ones we wanted, but suitors nonetheless. They would all ask the same thing: “Is that
Glamorous and sophisticated as we appeared to one another, we invariably ended up on the subway with only each other, heading back to Brooklyn.
other guy your lover?” Donald and I would laugh about them on the phone the next morning, wondering how two handsome creatures like ourselves were constantly striking out on the field of love.
It went on like that for a few years, and then I moved to Florida. I read To Kill A Mockingbird and Gone with the Wind in eighth grade and decided “the South” was where I wanted to be; I vowed to one day relocate somewhere below the Mason-Dixon line. Nobody told me at the time that Orlando hardly brought to mind the kudzu-
covered South featured in those books, but I chose Orlando because I had a friend living there.
Donald was beside himself. He wanted to fold himself into my suitcase and come with me, but this was something I had to do alone.
We kept in touch and saw each other at Christmas when I would fly up to be with my family. We would drag out the yearbook and monopolize gatherings at friends’ homes with detailed analyses of our fellow graduates.
He would tell me how popular he had suddenly become, and I suppose it was the lack of my presence during his now-solo Saturday nights that persuaded him to test his wings.
And fly he did.
The last time I saw him was a year before he died, but I had spoken to him not two weeks prior to his entering the hospital. Our phone call had been the usual three-hour remembrance of things past, with updates thrown in for good measure. Donald had recently lost his mother, and he was
telling me how strange he felt and how much he missed her.
“It’s like she’s waiting for me,” he said, and I was chilled.
I heard through "..other friend that Donald had collapsed w home and had to be taken to the emergency room. A couple of frantic phone calls to his hospital bed went unanswered, and then, after two weeks, he was gone. I would never see him or talk to him again; I had had no idea our last telephone conversation was going to be just that.
Friends told me he went quickly. The news filtering back to me was heartbreaking: “He could hardly even write us notes.” “That hospital he was in had no idea how to treat AIDS patients.” “He didn’t have to die from pneumonia.”
I went up for the funeral, a crowded Irish affair, and saw the faces of friends, shocked, older. Did I look like that?
I’d known him for such a terribly short time. As I said, we never know.
And now I can finally say goodbye.
DON’T LOOK SO DYKEY
by Rosanne Sloan
“Don’t look so dykey,” I heard Donna say the day my picture was taken for the paper. “Don’t look so dykey,” she cried. But when I was growing up, no one told me I didn’t have to be a man to love a woman.
I was the neighborhood tomboy. No one messed around with me, boys or girls. If you were a part of my gang, no one bothered you either. By the time I was six, I had already promised Patty Arnold, with her blonde bologna curls, that we would get married, have two kids, and I would go to work and make lots of money. By eighth grade I had other girls fighting over taking care of my tree fort, making me heart-shaped angel food cakes and bandaging my scrapes. So many that I had forgotten about Patty.
This was a pivotal point in my “gay” life. (I didn’t consider myself a lesbian yet. I was too tough to be one of “those.”) It was eighth grade graduation from Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, and all the girls
were shopping with their mothers for pretty, white, Laura Ashley dresses. I told my mother under no circumstances would I wear one of “those.” I had to wear a skirt for school, but now I was going to wear what I wanted. So we went to Lord & Taylor’s and bought a very nice, pleated, beige, three-piece suit. At graduation, I couldn’t help noticing that the other girls looked beautiful, and I was “handsome”. For one brief moment, with their eyes twinkling at me, I wondered if I could be more like them.
Had I had a role model like Amanda Bearse, perhaps I would have learned earlier than age 22 that is was okay for a woman to love another woman, and I, too, was a beautiful “lesbian.” It was along hard journey from that eighth grade of 1979 to the family gathering in the winter of 1986, yet some things seemed unchanged. I wished my breasts were bigger when the
waitress turned to my mother and said, “My, you have two handsome sons.” And my mother, darting daggers at me, silently screaming, “See. Why do you have to look so dykey?” I could hear Barbara Streisand as Yentl singing in my head, “Look how easily I fool them. They may have eyes, but they don’t see. They never really look at me. People are blind.”
My style was always the tailored look. I first justified this preference by calling it my Catholic-school-preppy look; later it was my androgynous look. Women seemed to like it - enough to fall in love with me -but then each would begin trying to change
.. .1 wished my breasts were bigger when the waitress turned to my mother and said, “My, you have two handsome sons. ”
me. It usually started with the length of my hair, then some make up, some nail polish, and finally, ultimately, “let’s get rid of these clothes!”
“Wait a minute!” I’d snap, “There’s the
front door, thank you - I like myself as I am.” Wasn’t it enough for them to love the woman I was in bed? The soft and tender girl longing to be loved in her satin boxers and ginny-t’s? Wasn’t it that person in pleated Gap pants, pocket T and worn penny loafers that captufSd'TTtew-atwnTWrr to begin with? I refused to deny what I was; a lesbian with a masculine flair.
Yes, indeed.. .a long, hard journey from the summer of 1979; yet some things have changed. My mother called this morning to tell me she has made an appointment for a family portrait. There is a stipulation, though. In her most authoritatively feminine voice she tells me not to dress “casual.” I know what she means by that.. .no manly attire. She waits for a fight but I don’t give her the satisfaction. Instead, I tell her not to worry, that I have the perfect outfit in mind; a one-piece dress with a vest, finished off with my pearls and small heels. Okay, the dress is pleated and the collar is tailored, but I like it that way. It’s my Catholic-school-preppy look. And my mother will think Donna has done wonders with me by making me quite the femme. The truth is, I can see the woman in me through Donna’s eyes, because she loves all of me, including the strength of my body, heart and mind. Every day I get to wear what I want. Why should this occasion be any different?
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Members of the lesbian a cappella group, THE RHYTHM METHOD (plus one) at the Kickoff Fundraiser for the Orlando Gay Chorus: (clocwise from left) Michelle D’Arcy, Meladye Shively, April Gustetter, Rachael Hazen, and Marla VUbsson.
HARMONIC CONVERGENCE
Colorado’s The Rhythm Method
by April L. Gustetter
It was a rainy Saturday afternoon when four women from Denver, Colorado sat down to be interviewed before going to a soundcheck for their next gig. The kickoff fundraiser for the Orlando Gay Chorus’ musical season would soon be competing with the weather, but neither their harmony nor spirits would dampen. Later that night, they would stand under a tent as the heavens opened, singing a cappella to a modest but appreciative crowd. The lesbian a cappella singing group is The Rhythm Method (TRM), and if you missed them in person, pick up one of their CDs or cassettes at Out & About - a unique and delightful sound (and a fun bunch o’ gals).
Like all good harmony, this group is made up of distinct voices. As one of three original members of TRM, Michelle D’Arcy began her musical journey in grade school, singing in the chorus and competing in performances with her french horn. Perky and petite with dark, bright eyes, she hails from a singing family, has sung all her life, and (yes) plays guitar.
Witty and outgoing, Marla Wasson is another original member. She is the daughter of barber shop quartet singers, and a sister among five siblings who, growing up, stood around the piano while her mother played. Originally a music major, Marla switched her academic direction to business .. .which has obviously come in handy being a singer. (Right.)
Meladye Shively is the third original member of the group, and another brought-up-on-music-guitar-playing gal. Meladye’s penchant for melody took her straight to voice lessons in high school (hated it) and, of course, the chorus. Meladye and Marla are life partners who chuckle when explaining how much togetherness that entails.
The last to join, but certainly not the least, Rachael Hazen revealed, “My very first solo was in second grade - I sang ‘Rocky Mountain High’ in my music class.’’ From there, she did the choir/chorus thing throughout her academic career,
and performed in as many productions as she could. Rachael writes and arranges many of the songs, and when she has hair, she’s the only blonde in the group.
When asked about the group’s name, all four members chattered at once. Rachael spoke above the others, “We all had the assignment of coming up with a name, so I went home and called one of my old girlfriends. We agreed that the name had to have something to do with sex, because if it didn’t it wouldn’t be marketable.” Apparently, by the exclamations of the others, this was a never-before-told version of the story, so we all listened with interest.
“She was in Maryland and I was in Colorado, so we both whipped out our copies of Our.Bodies and Ourselves, flipped through the book, and there it was....” Rachael trailed off, but Meladye piped in. “When Rachael came and told us what she and Kate thought of, I immediately liked it, because -1 didn’t even think about the sex thing -1 just loved it because it was like ‘pun intended’ - we’re a lesbian quartet, and I thought it was a great little left hook to all those Catholics!” Everyone roared in agreement, and the tone of the interview was set; even in conversation, they teamed up splendidly.
“We’re an a cappella-out-lesbian group, which I think makes us unique,” said Marla with a trace of defiance. “We’re right out there with our work. We don’t change pronouns, we write songs about girls and we sing songs about girls.” Asked about their beginnings, Meladye opened. “We all met in the Denver Women’s Chorus.We just kind of formed a friendship out of huddling together through that. Then we were at a party one time where Michelle had brought her guitar, and we all sat around and sang with her. We talked about what a ‘nice little blend we had,’ and ‘wasn’t this fun,’
Continued Page 21
When presented with an idea for a major Hollywood motion picture, one might question a film about a cross-dresser who is ‘‘the worst director of ail time.’* it does present possibilities to comment on Hollywood and die motion picture in- . dustry; the comic potential of an inept director is considerable, and such a film could even make an artistic statement about transvestism. Unfortunately, no such elements can be found in Tim Burton’s disappointing E# Wood, This film misses many of its golden opportunities, and instead finds itself bogged down by an uneventful screenplay fall of underdeveloped subplots and oae^imea-sional characters,
Ed Wood is the true life story of Edward D, Wood, Ir.t the man who brought us such sci-fi B-movie cult classics as Bride of the Monster and Orgy of the Dead, The movie starts with Wood as a fledgling playwright, whose cross-dressing tendencies interest him in directing a film about a half man/balf woman. Although Glen or Glenda . is a terrible flop, he is driven to make more movies, He meets and befriends horror film star Bela Lugosi and makes B-film after B-film attempting to resurrect Lugosi’s career and establish his own. As his works accumulate, we watch the framework for his most remembered work, Plan 9From Outer Space, take shape, In the process* Wood achieves his dream to act, direct, and star in his own work - just like his idol, Orson Welles, : "
The main problem in Ed Wood is the lack of depth of its title character, Indeed this Ed Wood is as much an anti-hero as the real Wood is the anti-Welles, Johnny Depp (looking like Ricky Ricardo on Ritalin) gives a funny, energetic and consistent performance, bat we never know what is going on under the surface of his optimistic grin and arching eyebrows. Wood undergoes no change in the film; he is neither a better person nor a better director by the film’s end. The movie tries to create a climactic plot point when Wood actually meets Orson Welles and is advised, “Visions are worth fighting for/* Wood’s visions aren’t.
:' The most enjoyable part of the film is Wood’s relationship with Bela Lugosi played to perfection by Martin Landau. At times his resemblance V to the real Lugosi is frightening. Landau gives a hilarious, off-color, and touching performance as die aging morphine-addicted former Dracula star, The one outstanding achievement of Ed Wood is that it manages to make Lugosi sympathetic, and it is he whoremains with us when the movie ends,
Tim Burton is probably the most logical di-
Continued Page 20
WATERMARK / October 12, 1994 14
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PRISCILLA IS A BUS!: Last month I mentioned the soundtrack from The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Last weekend in South Beach, I finally got to see the film. Priscilla is a road picture telling the tale of three drag queens making their way across the Australian outback. The acting (Terrence Stamp, Guy Pearce, and Hugo Weaver) and the direction (Stephan Elliott) represent the finest in Australia’s hot new cinema. A big improvement over the days of Crocodile Dundee and the like. The drag routines are excellent, with “I Will Survive” and “Finally” being the standouts. More important, this film offers us character development and presents the leads as people with feelings. It’s really not the campy, comedic send up you might expect. There is a well fleshed-out story involving homophobia, several sub-plots, and most of all, lot’s of heart. The film does drag however (pun intended) in parts and there were moments when I secretly hoped Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock would hop on this bus and give Priscilla some Speed. In the end, Priscilla has dignity, is lot’s of fun, and is well worth the trip.
TRUE ROMANCE: A dear friend gave me the newest Miguel Bose release “Bajo el Signo de Cain” and it turned out to be a lovely deja vu experience. I first heard this CD blasting in a crowded black jeep while speeding and laughing through the streets of Manhattan en route to the Streisand concert back in July. What a gas to return to Orlando and be reacquainted with this wonderful, upbeat music through the kindness of a friend. Bose is starting to gain more attention in the U.S. (partially due to his pretty-boy looks.. .check out the photo on the back of the CD) and it’s about time. OK, I don’t speak fluent Spanish, and I don’t understand the lyrics, but for some reason I just don’t care and I can’t stop listening. Give Bose a listen and you’ll understand exactly what I mean.
SINEAD ON HEADPHONES: Sinead O’Connor’s new release “Universal Mother” recently hit the record stores. Not as commercially accessible as her popular “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got” nor as funky as her debut “Lion and the Cobra,” but there is a purity and passion in this collection of songs. After reading the liner notes on the CD, I took Sinead’s advice and listened on headphones and let the CD play in its entirety. Back-to-back are a cover of Kurt Cobain’s plaintive “All Apologies” and O’Connor’s own desperate “A Perfect Indian.” Definitely not for the suicidal. There is a song written and performed by O’Connor’s eight-year-old son, Jake, “Am I a Human?”.. .not to worry, it’s less than a minute long. The outstanding cut “Scorn Not His Simplicity” is a maternal plea for understanding and represents some of this accomplished and controversial artist’s best work ever. If you’re a Sinead fan, you’ll enjoy this new release.
KEEP EATING AND EATING...at Thornton Park Cafe, since it reopened not too long ago. Good food and outstanding service in our very own favorite neighborhood. The salmon special (soon to be added to the menu) was delicious. Lunch and Sunday brunch are lot’s of fun, too! Drop by. You can even pick up a copy of !
IN REVIEW
EAT WI RO
by Rosanne Sloan
Moorefield’s
123 S. Orange Avenue • Orlando 872-6960
There are no words to describe the exquisite, individually prepared dishes at Moorefield’s. Suffice it to say, this is gourmet dining at its best. Margaret Moorefield (yes, there is really a Moorefield) is the owner and executive chef; her life partner, Kara Pritchett, is the hostess, one of the servers, and accountant. Together, their passion for their restaurant comes alive as the meal and good conversation grows throughout the dining experience. But a great mystery exists here.. .a whispered question: Why don’t they associate themselves more with the gay community?
After getting lost for nearly an hour (I haven’t mastered the south and north ends of Orlando’s streets yet), my partner, Donna, and I were ravenous. On arrival, Kara escorted us to our table, where my eye caught a glimpse of one of the paintings; a larger-than-life sized picture of a naked man, seemingly erect, with wings soaring through the air. Moorefield’s is fronted by floor-to-ceiling windows, and watching the expressions of passersby is high entertainment. Normally they stop only to gawk. Their loss. We were there to dine.
We began our meal with the homemade toasted garlic Gnocchi with garlic sauce. The appetizer was delicately decorated with shredded carrots and red pepper. Margaret’s Southwestern flair doesn’t stop there. Donna ordered the pan-seared Alaskan
Moorefield’s accepts all major credit cards. Open 11:30A-2:30PT-F, Dinner 6-10P T-Th / 6-12P F-S. Beer and wine available. Handicap friend^.
Theatre Review by Dimitri Toscas
NIGHTCLUB CANTATA
%jr> SecondStage, Civic Theatre of Central Florida *
Salmon with a Habanero (pepper) lime butter, and a yellow tomato salsa. This artistic plate was complemented by thin slices of boiled potato and shredded lemon peel I had the Hickory smoked Jamaican Jerk pork loin with Poblano barbecue sauce. My dish was completed with a wonderful carrot-corn bread and potato black bean cake. Donna delved into the walnut cheesecake torte and lost herself totally. Tempted by her moaning, I tried a bite. Never have I tasted a dessert so delicious. It made my conservative apple cobbler seem disappointing, which it wasn’t.
Moorefield’s is a taste of heaven lost in a community with uneducated palates. Moorefield’s is not just about fabulous food but about two women struggling to survive. During the course of the evening, Kara pulled a chair over like an old friend and filled us in. While Margaret Moorefield is humble about her talent, wearing a traditional chef’s outfit and checking the dining area periodically, Kara is the energy of the establishment. That energy has an undertone of anger. We learned they felt abandoned by the gay and lesbian community. Unfortunately, they didn’t advertise with the community when they first opened, and now their funds are limited. They want their business to thrive in Orlando and within the gay community. And so do we. Rosey’s Rating: ★★★★★/GGG.
Civic Theatre’s SecondStage steals the spotlight again. Nightclub Cantata is this Fall’s finest theatrical offering so far. It’s passionate, bizarre, intense, personal, genuine .. .in short, nothing less than poetic.
Elizabeth Swados (who conceived and composed the show) creates a space between two intense poems (written by Nazim Hikmet), then fills it with horror, awe, and struggle. Hikmet’s poetry acts like prison walls, isolating, oppressing, and holding a small band of performers captive.
Between these walls, they fight for survival, understanding, equality, and acceptance. They also fight for love. Ultimately, they fight to live life to its fullest.
Expressing themselves through poems set to music, improvised sounds and words, dance and movement, the performers work as a seamless ensemble. Each one deserves to be mentioned by name:
Angela Sparks works with real attitude and honesty; Anthony Joseph Killeen taps internal anger and personal struggle. Together, they create one of the show’s most intense moments, “Dibarti,” a poem that echoes conflict, hatred, and disappointment.
Rosemary Marston is earthy, and her deep desire brings “The Dance” to light, making it a sad and exhilarating cry for life.
Ernest White drives “Adolescents” into the heart with his simple, honest reflections of growing up. Nothing over-the-top here; just hard, isolated truths.
Will Braun’s impish playfulness is suddenly the knife that stabs the audience at the end of “In Dreams Begin Responsibilities,” a scene staged brilliantly by director Robin Jensen.
John Bosman, Darla Walker, Angela and Anthony make “Ventriloquist and Dummy” a bizarre expression of relationship, and the fight for equality that threatens most couples.
Wilton “De Vonn” Baker creates an echoing and moving ode “To The Harbormaster.” Nightclub Cantata works like “performance art.” It is deep and profound, and each person on stage clearly contributes by using their own experiences as an instrument of expression. Their voices join to make one loud cry...the fullness of life that they entreat. Truly, a talented cast.
Jensen’s direction of Cantata is uncom-
plicated and direct, letting the words and songs do the work. The lighting and set are minimal but dramatic. The whole space of SecondStage is used effectively.
Through poetry and songs we move from captivity to freedom, until our one desire is to dance in the sand and move with the cast into a space of rejoicing and light.
Bravi! Bravi! - to an ensemble that is natural, honest, interesting, and endearing.
Nightclub Cantata runs through Oct. 16. Tickets $12. Call (407) 896-7365for reservations.
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What started out In 1978 as a march in support of gay and lesbian | solidarity, a southern hemisphere
world’s biggest, boldest, bawdiest parties. The Sydney Gay Mardi Gras is a unique and wonderful celebra-§ turn; a time and place where the gay community can proudly proclaim its unity, while at die same time displaying and celebrating its tremendous diversity. Not to mention that special ability to design some bitchuT costumes!
That first march, on June 24,
1978, ended in a street dot and con-| frontationwith Sydney police. It was born of anger and a need to raise consciousness regarding discrimination against gays. How times have . changed. The annual event now
! k widely regarded as the b&d annual;.: gay event in the world.
Sydney Qay Mardi Gras is by no- j means a one day event. The parade
|| The 1994 festival, largest to date, presented some 11 feature films, 21 visual artists, and a constant variety Ifdf theater.. musical and culmral forums, A highlight was the first ||p|bli|;p| Gay Comedy Festival, llll^fihg: nine headline comics,' ||f| :jviardi Parade is the highlight of the celebration, The annual nighttime extravaganza is something to behold, as 800,000 (1) spectators line miles of Sydney streets to demonstrate support and share in “family fun.”
M ARHKf.RA^
Down Under
by Stephen De Mels
watching TV and eating junk food. Also drawing hoots of laughter were J the well-defined hunks pulling a rather large Queen Elizabeth, stating “All the Old Girl needed was to be steered in the right direction/* Leading the parade each year are the “Mardi Gras Boys * This year the energetic group of 150, dressed in bunny ears and bow ties and very little else, danced the whole length of the huge parade in frenzied formation. The ‘‘Boys” include lawyers, accountants, corporate executives, and lots and lots of flight attendants. In fact, the Mardi Gras Boys have become so popular that they are now chosen in auditions. But few are turned away, Sydney Gay Mardi Gras is a celebration of inclusion, and last year’s “Boys” included a 17-year-old and a 64-year-old. Their joy and enthusiasm . make them all beautiful.
Ill The 1994 brought new participants to Mardi Gras, Hawaii sent a group, and the gay .and. lesbian community j from Tasmania was represented for the first time. Other notable floats included: the Sisters of Perpetual In-dulgenee; Madonaarama, featuring some 30 Madonna wannabes;
| Sydney ^s leather and “Bear* communities, out in full force (forgive die pun); and die most lively entry, tie Syndey Bootscooters, the Australian line dance group who “bootscooted" die whole parade in denim and silver lame. Major style points!
There are Mardi Gras celebrations 1 all over the world, each with a spe^J cial message. Sydney’s message has been a long time In the making: “We are Family, and the colors of our rainbow are diverse and bright," The only thing missing from Sydney Mardi Gras is a group from Central Florida, but an adventurous group is already talking about rectifying this problem. Who better to spread hospitality and good cheer! You too could be a part of the biggest celebration of Gay Pride in the world... the 1995 Sydney Gay Mardi Gras.
Pot aftee video oh the Sydney Gay Mardi Gras, call (407) £57-5(535.;
In fact, the parade is so fun, so outrageous, it’s easy to overlook the serious political messages being conveyed. Gay Catholics sought acceptance from their church with their float of open arms. Volunteers
attention to their 47,000 hours of care provided to Sydney PWAs.
1 My favorite was a group called “Sisterhood of Sit;” self-proclaimed gay and lesbian couch-potatoes who
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T JohfPWayne Bobbit...you know the name.. .has/is/will make a porno movie. He says he’s doing it to prove to the public that his equipment works. We assume he’s donating the proceeds to charity.. .or perhaps N.O.W.? Anyway, we know somebody had a lot of fun picking the name for this instant classic... ScarfaceII and Frankenweenie come to mind. No doubt it will be released in two parts. Regardless, we want to see it and we won’t apologize. We live in a sick culture, and we’re going to take advantage of it.
▼ Speaking of equipment that doesn’t work...the new fountain at Lake Eola. It was up and running for a few weeks, most often malfunctioning (and a pathetic sight it is, a fountain dribbling water as if out of the side of its mouth...all very Freudian). But it’s been dormant...impotent, really ...for months. Well, a month. Is anyone working on this? And what happened to the musical trees and bushes? It was hokey, but we liked it. Lake Eola is still a great park, even if no one uses the new part.
▼ You know how we all have sections of the paper that we always read? Well, we just stopped reading Ann Landers.. .just cut her out of our morning routine, and believe me, these routines are not given up cavalierly. Just lost interest...in the problems...in the answers (“Consult a doctor/gynecologist/clergy/counselor”) ...waste of time. Does this mean Ann is getting tired, or that we’re just losing interest in life (and should therefore consult a doctor/gynecologist/clergy/counselor)?
T We’ve never sampled the stuff, but we sure think Fruitopia is a great product name. Should we steal it as the theme for gay politics, as in “We seek nothing short of...”
▼ Barney Frank is running unopposed. T While on the subject of politics, a third U. S. Congressman has come out of the closet...sort of. Rep. Steve Gunderson (D- Wisconsin) never actually told the Advocate that he’s gay but his companion did, offering photos of them together as well. This after Rep. Robert Dornan (R-California)...hate him with us, won’t you?...stated during House debate that Gunderson had a “revolving door on his closet.”
*£ANiSI*iS & "UNATIONjS
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Mark Lawhon is certified by the American Federation of % Astrologers, and is available for consultations by calling 407-894-1506.
Mercury rules communications of all sorts. It also affects delivery of communications such as mail, phone calls and messages. Approximately four times a year, Mercury stops motion .. .you can imagine the consequences. Evaluate new projects or documents carefully before proceeding; avoid them if possible. Fixed signs...Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, are particularly hard hit this phase (which runs from 10/10 to 10/ 31), but everyone should use caution. Some additional general advice from your friendly astrologer: plan travel carefully and drive cautiously. You got it.. .travel is also ruled by Mercury.
ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): Fall is in the air and the New Moon on Oct. 19 opens doors for you. Have fun doing the things you love most. Be prepared for fireworks on the 24th, when you’ll have more sexual electricity than Con Ed.
TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): This coming month is an excellent time to clean out the crap.. .the “old tapes”.. .lingering from childhood. A check up is also in order to nip any bugs. Don’t think about moving right now, and avoid the legally binding.
GEMINI (May 21-Jun 20): Mercury rules Gemini, and he’s in retrograde most of the month. Not a good time for heart-to-hearts. Consider delaying plans for entertaining. Instead, spend your time productively, possibly with a friend who needs a hand. But avoid lending that hand financially.
CANCER (Jun 21-Jul 22): Relationships may seem determined by fate right now. What’s worked in the past may bring unexpected and undesired results. Go ahead with that relocation, but not until next month. A well deserved financial reward is possible.
LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): Lingering annoyances.. .that troubling, pervasive “life stuff’ you’ve been dealing with...may come crashing in on you. Common sense will see you through. Is work fulfilling? You may want to consider additional training or education. Expect confusion. Finances will improve next month.
VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): A grandparent may need your help and time. Good thing. Money’s been flying out of your wallet; now is a good time to curtail frivolous spending. And brace yourself for that Visa or MasterCard statement.
LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 23): Spending a lot of time trying to impress a new partner? Turn the spotlight 180 degrees this month and enjoy all the attention. Seek out mutual friends, and don’t
let well-meaning parents tell you who to hang out with.
SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 21): Focus on career matters this month.. .and little else. Opportunity is knocking. In particular, take a look at what you get, and what you need, from your superiors. Your pet may be a particular nuisance this month. Watch your words, too.. .that Mercury thing.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): A friend may need your help. In the process, a new friend may materialize. Intrigued? Home seems real confining, but beware of spending too much on diversions. Contracts are favorably aspected, but wait ‘til next month to finalize.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): You’re irritated...both at home and at work. Even your relationship is being tested this month. The good news is that if there is no relationship, this is a good time to go out and find one. It’ll be fresh, fun, and too new to be adversely affected.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Febl8): Much uncertainty surrounding your employment situation. You’re underappreciated. Confusion and even deception come from an unexpected source. Seek support from someone who knows how to deal with children; that’s exactly how your boss is acting.
PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): Work is good.. .better than its been for a long while. This is good, because you’ll need to direct energy toward relationships. A karmic link seeks your subconscious recognition and conscious action. Go for it. And plan ahead...next month Mars enters your house of relationships and the late night fires will be burning.
TT/1 1 L/I\lTim\l\ / UVIWUV1 14*, l S s-r
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OUR CULTURE
FLORIDA'S DISTINCTIVE GAY AND LESBIAN PUBLICATION
AND
family Values
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23,1994 THE ENZIAN • MAITLAND
A Benefit for G.L.C.S., P-FLAG, & G.LP.CI.
Reception 2:00 PM Movie 2:45 PM
Reserved Corporate Tobies 2 Person-$20, 4 Person-$40
Call Chris at (407) 298-7747 for tickets or tables
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Lewis Routh’s outrageous Whores of a Different Color returns to Orlando after a five year hiatus. The off-beat comedy played to packed houses at the Parliament House last time around, and in fact, the play is set on the Parliament House stage, as six gay actors rehearse a play based on a Greek myth about male/male love. According to Routh, the play is a “fun-filled romp that still packs a punch with its message.” Tickets are on sale now and limited to 100 seats per performance. Opening night, Thu. Oct. 13, will be a benefit for Gay & Lesbian Community Services. For more information, call (407) 521-8134.
Jett Canary and Drew Davenport from Whores.
1 - . ,-.1
▼ Power and Glitter, a Fundraiser for the “No On fl” Coalition, will be held at the Scott Laurent Galleries (what would we do without you guys!) on Park Avenue in Winter Park on Friday, October 14, from 7:30 to 9:30 PM. Proceeds will be used to help our friends in Alachua County defeat discriminatory ballot measures (see story, p. 3). Art, live music and hors d’oeuvres will be offered. Tickets are $30 per person, $50 per couple. RSVP to (407) 297-8518.
▼ Theatre UCF presents The Kentucky Cycle, the first half of Robert Schenkkan’s renowned sweeping epic of three families in eastern Kentucky spanning 200 years of American history. Cycle will be presented this week and next, Thu-Sun. Call (407) 823-1500 for tickets or more information.
▼ The Destiny off Me continues at The Acting Studio through Sunday, Oct. 16. Destiny is Larry Kramer’s 1993 Obie Award-winning sequel to his earlier AIDS play, The Normal Heart. Tickets are $12; seniors and students $10. Call (407) 425-2281 for tickets.
T “Florida’s Freshest Fruit,” The Improbabilities, continue to offer their hilarious gay and lesbian improvisational comedy at the Eola Theatre, 17 Wall St. Plaza, Thursday Oct. 20 and 27, at 8:30 PM. Tickets are just $5. Call (407) 521-7499 for more info. Make a night of it and have dinner at MoOieffielllfS (see restaurant review this issue) before the show.
T The Annie Russell Theatre at Rollins College will open their ’94-95 season with The Mystery of Edwin Drood, an English music hall version of an unfinished Dickens melodrama. Drood will play from Oct.21-30. For information about tickets and performances, phone (407) 646-2145. Also, Academy Award-winning actress Olympia Dukakis makes a public appearance at Rollins College, Saturday, October 22, in a “Community Conversation.”The program begins at 2:30 PM in the Bush Auditorium, Bush Science Center.
▼ TCN will hold their annual HallOWCCn (impout from Fri., Oct. 28 thru Sun. Oct. 30 at Salt Springs Campground in the Ocala Forest. Facilities accomodate campers, pop-ups, RVs, tents, etc. Sites are $12 and can accomodate up to 5. Boat ramps, canoes, pontoon boats and lots of beautiful scenery and women will be there. Call Nan (she’ll be in The Westphalia) for more information.
V GLCS sponsors their first annual GAY-TOWEEN, Sun. Oct 30, at the Orlando Marriott Downtown (formerly the Omni). There will be a cash bar, a raffle, and a costume contest. Festivities begin at 8 PM. Admission is $25 for members, $30 for non-members, and $35 at the door. Call (407) 425-4527 for tickets or more information.
y glcs will sponsor “I’m Coming Out,” a Symposium ffov African American Gays in Orlando, on Friday, November 4, from 6-10 pm at the GLCS Center. The symposium is free, and is specially designed for those 18-25. Music, refreshments, and games will be offered, and the film Paris is Burning will be shown. RSVP by Oct. 28 at (407) 425-4527.
y “Puttin’ On The Ritz,” is the theme for Willow's annual Black & White
Ball to be held on Saturday, November 19 at the Pine Meadows Country Club in Eustis. Tickets are $35. For reservations call Terry (407) 865-5972, or Peppy (904) 383-0928.
y Parents FLAG, Delta Youth Alliance (DYA), and the Rainbow Democratic Club (RDC)
are selling a new and expanded 1995 Entertainment Coupon Book.
This year’s book contains hundreds of coupons offering savings of up to 50% off purchases at restaurants, businesses, and entertainment outlets. Coupon books are only $30. Many who purchased books last year claim huge savings. Proceeds can be designated for the organization of your choice. To place an order call Allene Baus at (407) 896-0689, or send your check for $32 to: “Coupon Book,” P.O. Box 141312, Orlando FL 32814-1312.
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WATERMARK / October 12, 1994 19
OUR CULTURE
13 B 14 15 •• 16 17 1 18 19
RAINBOW l $• “NO ON 1” 1 ORLANDO GAY 1 JOY MCC DELTA YOUTH O.B.B.A. Orlando’s FAMILY VALUES.
CONNECTION. 1 COALITION m CHORUS. See Local WORSHIP ALLIANCE. largest gay & lesbian Gay & lesbian radio
Group for teens & FUNDRAISER. See Color, p. 18. | SERVICES. See Oct. 24. bowling league. 9 PM. on 91.5 FM. Talk,
young adults from 18- M Local Color, p. 18. 1 10:30 AM & 7:15 PM. 644-2244. music, news, inter-
25. GLCS at 7:30 PM. ORLANDO 894-1081. ORLANDO views, community
425-7450. THEATRE FRONTRUNNERS. FRONTRUNNERS. UCF GLBSU events. 8-9 PM. 646-
SELECTIONS. 9 AM. See Oct. 3. See Oct. 19. MEETING. Phillips 2398.
LUCKY LADIES • Destiny of Me Hall, Room 218. 9PM. i
BOWLING. Fair • Nightclub Cantata GLBL. Bowling at RAINBOW 648-0057. ORLANDO
Lanes Indian Hills. • Whores of a Different Fair Lanes Indian DEMOCRATIC FRONTRUNNERS.
6:30 PM. 293-8849. Color Hills. 831-7171. CLUB. Orlando Meet at the red pagoda
• The Kentucky Cycle Library. 7 PM. at Lake Eola.
WHORES. See 236-9476. 6:30 PM. 857-18777.
Local Color, p. 18.
THR FRI SAT SUN : MON TUE WED
20 21 I 22 23 24 25 26
THE THEATRE ORLANDO PRISCILLA GAYSKATE. UCF GLBSU FAMILY VALUES.
IMPROVABILITIES. SELECTIONS. FRONTRUNNERS. FUNDRAISER FOR Semoran Skateway in MEETING. See Oct. 19.
Eola Theatre. 8:30 PM. • Kismet. 9 AM. See Oct. 19. GLCS, P-FLAG, Fern Park. 9:15 PM. See Oct. 18.
521-7499. • The Mystery of GLPCI. See Local 425-4527. ORLANDO
Edwin Drood. BOWLING. Color. BOWLING. FRONTRUNNERS.
LADIES BOWLING. • The Kentucky Cycle. See Oct. 15. DELTA YOUTH See Oct. 18. 7:30 PM. See Oct. 19.
See Oct. 13, JOY MCC. ALLIANCE. Support i
LCN MOVIE See Oct. 16. group for gay, lesbian P-FLAG MEETING.
RAINBOW NIGHT. Unitarian & bisexual youth Downtown Orlando
CONNECTION. Church. 7 PM. under 22.6 PM. location. 7 PM.
See Oct. 13. 831-2971. 236-9415. 236-9177.
ORLANDO \
FRONTRUNNERS.
6:30 PM. See Oct. 19.
THR FRI SAT SUN MON - TUE WED
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from giving money to televison preachers?
Comedienne ELAYNE BOOSLER
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MARKETPLACE
Book Review by Harmony Brenner
SKIN: TALKING ABOUT SEX, CLASS & LITERATURE
Dorothy Allison’s Skin: Talking About Sex, Class & Literature is a provocative collection of essays, true-to-life monologues, and literary experiments that thoroughly titillate, anger, frighten, and sadden - sometimes all in the same paragraph.
Dorothy Allison is an eminently talented lesbian writer. Her previous novel, Bastard Out of Carolina, was a 1992 National Book Award Finalist in Fiction. Her first novel, Trash, won the 1989 double Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Fiction and Small Press Book. Allison has also authored a powerful volume of poetry called The Women Who Hate Me, Poetry: 1980-1990.
Allison’s writing is like a dense dessert after a light meal; it is rich and substantial. Allison revisits some of her most defining experiences with a total lack of self-contempt or sentimentality. Her hard-boiled examination of self and others makes for enjoyable reading. But there is also a sense of voyeurism as one shares the forays, foibles, and significant suffering unique to a lesbian’s life path. Allison relies heavily on black humor and storytelling tones to keep the shy reader interested and the curious reader satisfied.
In Skin, Allison has revised and extracted from several exceptional articles that appeared in such periodicals as The New York Native and The Village Voice, and from a few of her celebrated speeches.
Allison’s most identifiable writing trademarks include questioning the values and mores of self and peers, as well as threading a common chord of suspense throughout all her work. These traits abound throughout Skin. Allison uses her thoughtful commentary, interwoven with undetectable revisionist hindsight, to provide a memorable collection of intellectual exploration, sexual discovery, and literary analysis within a lesbian context.
Her essay topics range from a near-mugging in New York to her personal thoughts and feelings on writing seminars she attended. The most memorable and insightful group of essays concern sexuality. Allison insists on confronting her discomfort, her desires, and her unanswered questions about sexuality head-on in essays such as “Femme” and “Sex Talk.” Allison develops other topics as well, but as the book’s title indicates, her major forums are sex, class, and literature.
While there are many popular lesbian writers, Allison leads the small pack of genuine literary contributors who reveal the life experiences of lesbians in a realistic, unromanticized context. Allison herself seems in transition from an oppressed point of origin to an almost boundless destination. Her ability to plant intellectual roots into the barren soil that was her family of origin is truly inspiring. Her earlier works evince a highly abusive and dysfunctional childhood, including incest, poverty, and daily violence. Skin is no exception. Between the lines, Allison processes her pain, relives her fear, and incorporates her shattered child self into the relative sanctuary of her adult life.
While I enjoyed Skin thoroughly, I would hesitate to recommend it to the recreational reader who is seeking escapist fiction. It is too confrontative for that purpose. However, for those in pursuit of intellectual, spiritual and social challenge, Dorothy Allison’s Skin will stir you up like a hot cup of coffee.
ED WOOD
From Page 13
rector to bring Wood’s story to the screen. In his past works {Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas), there are always driving elements of the supernatural, the skewed, and the downright odd. He is in many respects a modern-day Ed Wood himself. His strength is in making us feel for characters whom we would otherwise pity, dislike, or even avoid. He has a very fine flair for humor; the many laughs which can be found in Ed Wood are neither contrived nor forced. His opening title sequence is superb, and his authenticity in recreating Wood’s original work is brilliant.
However, Burton’s direction is a beautiful welcome mat to an empty house. Perhaps the film is too true-to-life and could have benefited from some fictionalization. A more engrossing film could have been told from Lugosi’s viewpoint. In any case, Ed Wood fails to capture the “genius” behind the man who is still remembered to this day for his worse-than-mediocre work. The irony of this all is that like Wood’s films, Ed Wood will most likely live on to be shown at sci-fi conventions for decades to come, even after it has been forgotten by the general public. Burton ‘s better work should live so long.
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The
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1994-1995 SEASON
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UAinmsm
Knowles Memorial Chapel,Rollins College j
Faith, Hope & Love
April 7, S ♦ 7:35PM
; Ann Site Denseh - Civic Theater Complex
Tea Cents A Dance
Jane 23,24,25 ♦7:35PM Ana Giles Denseh - Civic Theater Complex
Season ticket subscriptions go on sale Oct. 1 • (407) 645-5866.
THE RHYTHM METHOD
From Page 13
so we started doing talent shows at Denver Women’s Chorus retreats. The second year that we did the talent show, we thought, ‘wouldn’t it be nice to have someone sing the base part,’ and we all thought of Rachael, who (we later found out) was hoping we’d ask her.” Rachael had also been with the Denver Women’s Chorus on the support staff.
TRM didn’t want to be just another singing-guitar-play-ing-all-female group. “Actually,” Marla spoke up, “we started singing a cappella, and it seems to fit who we are. It was easy for us to show up at a gig and sing.. .no tracks, no drums, just stand up and sing.”
“And,” Rachael added, “there’s a lot about a cappella that’s pure music. You can cover up a lot in a chorus and with a band, but there’s something that’s right on with a cappella that you have to be devoted to.”
“And the challenge is me,” Meladye included. “I’m challenging myself and having to work with the other members of the group to sing as a unit with no place to hide - that’s the real challenge.”
There’s a line in one of TRM' songs that says, “singin’ ‘bout boys only gets us down.” When asked whether they get negative reactions to such exclusive lesbian statements, Meladye stated, “The song, for me, is couched in the context of a lover relationship - this is who I am, this is what I do - I’m not going to sing as if I were a man singing about a woman so that the community-at-large finds it appropriate. It’s not that we’re saying we don’t like boys, it’s just that we’re not going to pretend to be them to have our songs accepted.
“In fact, we have to say that the men’s community has been incredibly supportive of our efforts, both in Denver and in other areas. In some cases, more so than the women.” Feeling prompted to offer a theory behind that, Rachael said, “I think the guys enjoy camp, and a lot of what we do on stage is a little off. We try to screw things up a bit with lyrics or what we do, and I think the men like that show stuff.”
We turned to the topic of lesbian artists who are doing the mainstream thing, rather than addressing the lesbian audience. Rachael took the lead. “We have a lot of pride, both in ourselves individually and as a group. We’re out at work and our home lives, and we’re out as a group. We don’t want to sing in venues that don’t want to host us and we are proud to stand up and say we’re lesbians, rather than ‘we know you know but we’re not going to say it.’”
“And if you want to go mainstream and be known nationally, you almost have to sing songs that don’t talk about anybody specifically or that talk about the opposite sex...” added Marla quickly. Rachael noted, “Tracy Chapman and Melissa Etheridge were pioneers of the generic ‘you’ gender-not-specific lyric.”
“I support people doing what they think is right for themselves and their careers,” Meladye interjected. “I’m really glad to see people like Melissa and k. d. lang stepping out and saying that they’re lesbians, but doing it in their own personal time, when it’s right for them.
“As for this group, we made a decision a long time ago, before we ever embarked on what we’re doing right now, about who we’d play to, who our community is, who we want to be. We are out lesbians playing to the gay community and we don’t care about being mainstream artists. We’re doing what we want to do now.”
When the question of profit motives arose, TRM answered on one solid note. “Take a poll: girls, has it ever been about profit?” Marla asked.
“No, never,” they answered in unison. “We just want to cover our expenses and have a good time.”
“Lot’s of people dream about what we’re able to do, and here we are in Florida, having a great time,” Marla said, looking at the rain while we all laughed.
But then the less humorous topic of Colorado’s Amendment 2 came up. [Amendment 2 repeals existing laws and makes further laws that would protect gays and lesbians from discrimination illegal.] Discussing the impact of the political struggle, Rachael delivered the group’s harmonized sentiment. “We’ve helped,” she began, “through fundraisers and rallies where we’ve gladly performed pro bono. We feel good about what we’ve been able to give.”
In the future, TRM hopes to get more of their own original music out, “and possibly come up with a new CD of our own,” Marla said. She added that while the current CD has but three original pieces, only one is not an original ar-. rangement. “No one else arranges music for a cappella.”
As we positioned to leave, Marla sat up straight, sending her forefinger out into the air as if to tap a bell. “I have something to add,” she announced. “There are so many things about the gay and lesbian community that the straight media picks up and personifies as evil. I think it’s important that the gay and lesbian chorus movement and positive music is somehow featured, not only in our own media, but in the media-at-large. And the longer that groups like the Orlando Gay Chorus are around, the better it is for our image as a whole community.”
WATERMARK / October 12,1994 22
SPORTS
It isn’t that I’m out of shape. I exercise as much as I can, which means I sometimes put on girl-group records from the ‘sixties and dance around the house.
So why do my friends suggest - often -that my lover Kirk and I join the Frontrunners, Orlando’s gay running/walking/biking group? We finally succumbed.
I was amazed at the number of people who thronged at the Pagoda at Lake Eola. Group leaders arranged about fifty of us in a giant circle on the grass. My heart pounded (is that aerobic?); we were people! Actually, we just introduced ourselves and answered a question: What TV family would we want to be part of?
I answered The Donna Reed Show and got a laugh. This group dynamic exercise is useful. Now I knew the name of the guy in the black biking shorts.
We separated into preferred activities-running, walking or biking- and we were off. The runners were soon dots in the distance, yet we walkers marched resolutely ahead. I fixed my sight on the black biking shorts and forged onward, Kirk in tow.
I expected a liesurely stroll around Lake Eola; gossip and swan boats. Hardly. We soon left the park for Rosalind Avenue, and headed south, under the East-West Expressway, past the old Dr. Phillips house, around Lake Lucerne, which is really beautiful at night, and up busy Orange Avenue.
By now the black biking shorts were a
full block away. Kirk was slowing down, and I was concerned lest we be the last two of the original group to return to the Pagoda. “Don’t worry,” he kept saying. “There are still two people behind us.” I can be so competitive at times.
Downtown never looked so magical to me at night! The massive amounts of oxygen I was inhaled caused even our downtown denizens to take on a Damon Runyon-esque quality. As we passed Wall Street, I realized I had lost my Nicoderm patch... a sign?
Soon we were on our final approach. We picked up the pace a bit as the Pagoda loomed in the distance. “Didn’t mean to pull so far ahead,” Biking Shorts told me. “Sorry.”
“It’s quite all right (puff, puff). Just how far did we walk?”
Surely, after all that time, we could have walked to Valdosta, Georgia.
“Two point eight miles.” he replied.
“Well,” I said. “Well.”
The Frontrunners meet on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Pagoda at Lake Eola. See Calender, 19 for times.
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QiANCl BLOSSOM BOW11NC ASSOCIATION
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t f£. A The Cruiser 25 14
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22 15 24
23 lady A The Tramps 14 21
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2$ Southern Country 12 23
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DOWNTOWN HOME. For sale/rent-charming 1930 Southern Tudor in historic Eola. 5/2, 2 fireplaces, oak floors, 10’ ceilings, remodeled kitchen, alarm, sprinkler, garage, central heat & A/C. Avail. Nov. 1. Must see. 625 Hillcrest St. $172,500 or $1400/ mo. Call for appt/info 648-4154.
Altamonte/Capistrano Condo. 2/2 on ground floor. Near pool & tennis. Has all appliances and screened porch. Assumable no-qualify loan. $2,000 down plus small 2nd moves you in. Call Bill® 834-0203.
Bank owned and HUD homes. $ 1,000 will get you a home of your own. Call Realtor @ 1-800-861-0203. Serving our community for over 40 years.
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ROOMMATE WANTED. 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath home near downtown/ Lake Como. Renovated kitchen, washer/dryer. Non-smoker preferred. $275/mo. plus utilities. Call Jim at 895-0993. Available mid-Oct.
S. ORLANDO/MEADOW WOODS. 2 GWMs looking for responsible, honest, friendly GWM for roommate. We offer a stress-free, 3/2 home. W/ D, A/C, cable, private yard, secured. No pets, no drugs. Quiet type A+. $225/mo„ $100 dep., 1/3 util. HIV+ check us out! (407) 856-9825.
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PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR. Missing persons, background checks, asset checks, service of process in Orange county. 644-8057. Agency no. 93-00111.
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MEET SOMEONE TODAY! Find that special guy or girl with the "Telephone Matchmaker.” Always a free call and anonymous. Call in Orlando at 648-9047. (Gay owned & operated).
NEON/INTERIOR NEON. Mood lighting; Neon Sculptures, customized to your needs. LET ME LIGHT UP YOUR NIGHTS! BERND’S NEON - licensed & reputable. Telephone & Fax (407) 644-0553. References available.
IN YOUR HOME. One on one fitness experience designed to fit your personal needs, including weight loss, body, shaping, cardiovascular aerobics conditioning. Flexible hours & payment plans available. Call 932-4319.
LOVING LAWN CARE. Help to support a new family business. Blue
Skye Lawn Service is a licensed, professional business that specializes in all aspects of lawn maintenance. Call (407) 629-0302.
GAYLINE ONLINE. GayLink (BBS) has gone computerized. Our national network went online August 1st. For a free software package and a 30-day Free Membership, contact the Genesis Foundation. Call (407) 857-5444. Fax (407) 438-3695.
MISCELLANEOUS
SEEKING DONATED COUCH. Delta Youth Alliance, a group for gay/ lesbian teens, is looking for a used couch for its meeting room. Please contact Jeff at 895-3722.
WANTED TO BUY. Disney items -especially buttons & pins. Also, sell & trade Disneyana items. For more information please call Dennis at 407-895-1968.
Healthy, loving, stable, long-term professional gay couple seek lesbian to function as surrogate mother. Flex-
ible regarding nature of future involvement with child. SERIOUS RESPONSES ONLY. Will pay all medical and associated expenses. Reply c/o W. Thomas Dyer, Attorney at Law, 701 E. Washington St., Suite 2oo, Orlando, FL 32801. (407) 648-1153.
Gorgeous AKC Registered DALMATION puppies. Available Oct. 6. Parents on premises. (6) males $300, (4) females $325 and up. Call Rick at 682-6096. All come with certificate of health.
REAL ESTATE WANTED. Need 3/ 2 home within reasonable commute of Disney. Around $80,000. Can pay 10% dwon on a no-qualify mortgage. Call Frank @ 834-0989.
.. .Sports Editor. Come join our growing team and help create the best gay & lesbian sports page. Please send resume and writing samples to Watermark, P.O. Box 533655, Orlando, Florida 32853-3655, or call (407)481-2243.
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-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/054b100560db4cf9a5a962508bac8aae.pdf
75400c19c37d35288b8990a53b9ebd3f
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
Watermark Collection
Alternative Title
The Watermark Collection
Subject
Gay culture--United States
Description
Since 1994, <em>The Watermark</em> has been the cornerstone source of LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) centered news for the Central Florida region. Founded by Tom Dyer in Orlando, the publication began generating bi-weekly issues beginning August 31, 1994. Since then, <em>The Watermark</em> has consistently published newspaper style issues every other Thursday. Gaining traction, the publication expanded in 1995 to include Tampa and, in 1997, <em>The Watermark</em> became a permanent piece of LGBTQ+ culture when the publication initiated the first large-scale Gay Days Weekend event, the Beach Ball at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Before 1999, the publication printed 20,000 copies every week, distributing them to over 500 locations between its two major cities. Following 1999, the publication launched watermarkonline.com shifting to an online publication style. In 2016, Rick Claggett purchased <em>The Watermark</em>.
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/" target="_blank">RICHES Program</a>
Type
Collection
Contributing Project
<a href="http://www.floridalgbtqmuseum.org/%20" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>
<a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/">The Watermark</a>
Curator
Smith, Robert
Cepero, Laura
O'Neal, Rhiannon
Hearn, Nikki
Greene, Quintella
Rodriguez, Sharon
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="http://www.floridalgbtqmuseum.org/%20" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>
External Reference
"<a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/aboutcontact/" target="_blank">About/Contact</a>." WatermarkOnline.com, accessed July 11, 2016. http://www.watermarkonline.com/aboutcontact/.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
The Watermark, Vol. 9, No. 22, October 24-November 6, 2002
Alternative Title
Watermark, Vol. 9, No. 22
Subject
Gay culture--United States
Description
The twenty-second issue of the ninth volume of <em>The Watermark</em> was published on October 24, 2002, and was the culminating issue of the 2002 midterm elections, providing readers with brief vignettes on where each candidate stood in relation to issues affecting the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) community. It also spotlights the demonstration that took place on the steps of Orlando City Hall to encourage Mayor Glenda Hood to make a decision regarding adding "sexual orientation" to the list of non-discrimination policies. This issue also has a pullout section for the second annual WAVE (Watermark Awards for Variety and Excellence) Awards, chosen online by the readers. This section includes articles covering some of the top winners, such as the Lava Lounge and the Urban Body Clothing stores in both Tampa and Orlando.<br /><br />Since 1994, <em>The Watermark</em> has been the cornerstone source of LGBTQ+ centered news for the Central Florida region. Founded by Tom Dyer in Orlando, the publication began generating bi-weekly issues beginning August 31, 1994. Since then, <em>The Watermark</em> has consistently published newspaper-style issues every other Thursday. Gaining traction, the publication expanded in 1995 to include Tampa and, in 1997, <em>The Watermark</em> became a permanent piece of LGBTQ+ culture when the publication initiated the first large-scale Gay Days Weekend event, the Beach Ball at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Before 1999, the publication printed 20,000 copies every week, distributing them to over 500 locations between its two major cities. Following 1999, the publication launched watermarkonline.com shifting to an online publication style. In 2016, Rick Claggett purchased <em>The Watermark</em>.
Type
Text
Source
Original 72-page newspaper <a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank">The Watermark</a>, Vol. 9, No. 22, October 24-November 6, 2002: Publications Collection, <a href="http://glbthistorymuseum.com/joomla25/index.php?lang=en" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>, Orlando, Florida.
Requires
<a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/reader.html" target="_blank">Adobe Acrobat Reader</a>
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/203" target="_blank">The Watermark Collection</a>, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original 72-page newspaper: <a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank">The Watermark</a>, Vol. 9, No. 22, October 24-November 5, 2002.
Coverage
Orlando, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida
Sawmill Campground, Dade City, Florida
Lava Lounge, Orlando, Florida
Urban Body Clothing, Tampa, Florida
Urban Body Clothing, Orlando, Florida
Starke, Florida
Creator
Blake, Michael
Campbell, Scottie
Chisman, Erin J.
Craige, Shelley
Crescitelli, Jim
Donahoo, Logan
Dyer, Tom
Guarino, David R.
Guay, Rena
Hartlage, Kirk
Jackowitz, Enid
Jackowitz, Syd
Kundis, Ken
Martinac, Paula
Masters, Billy
Rojas, Arturo
Shapiro, Gregg
Smith, Scott Jackson
Sullivan, John
Triggs, Greg
Varnell, Paul
Viren, Sarah
Walen, Rick
Westveer, Drew
Wiggins, Jayelle
Wilde, Diane
Publisher
<a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank">Watermark Media</a>
Date Created
ca. 2002-10-24
Date Issued
2002-10-24
Date Copyrighted
2002-10-24
Format
application/pdf
Medium
72-page newspaper
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Provenance
Originally published by <a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank">Watermark Media</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank">Watermark Publishing Group</a> and is provided here by <a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
<a href="http://glbthistorymuseum.com/joomla25/index.php?lang=en" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>
Curator
O'Neil, Rhiannon
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="http://glbthistorymuseum.com/joomla25/index.php?lang=en" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>
External Reference
"<a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/aboutcontact/" target="_blank">About/Contact</a>." WatermarkOnline.com, accessed January 28, 2018. http://www.watermarkonline.com/aboutcontact/.
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Ken Shelin
Kim Berfield
Kim's Club
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Kris Doubles
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Lava Lounge
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lesbians
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Liberty Council
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Log Cabin Republicans
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MC Film Fest
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Michael Bilirakis
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Mike Taylor
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Nancy Alexander
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Nazhoni
Nic Arnzen
One Laurel Place
Orlando Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Committee
Parliament House
Pat Burke
Pat Frank
Patricia Kutteles
Patrick A. Kranz
Patrick Howell
Patty Sheehan
People For A United Orlando
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Plush
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queers
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Rainbow Democratic Club
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Robb & Stucky
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Salvatore Phillip "Sonny" Bono
same-sex
Sanderson Foundation
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Sarah Viren
Sarasota Equality Project
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Selvin Orlando Campos
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Sonny and Cher
Southern Nights
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Steve Cooley, Ever Wilfredo Rivera
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Tampa Bay AIDS Network
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Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
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The Watermark
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Tommy Manley
transgender
Triangle Democratic Caucus
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Unity Leadership Tampa Bay
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Vincent K. Hopkins
Water Colors
Watermark Awards for Variety and Excellence
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Wayne Hogan
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William D. Van Allen Jr.
William Waybourn
Withlacoochee Women's Music & Comedy Fest