The Watermark was published on August 21, 1997, and featured a broad range of recent developments and interesting stories in the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) community. Topics discussed in this issue include an interview with acclaimed women's tennis champion, Billie Jean King, a look at LGBTQ+ individuals living in Central Florida suburbs, and the new phenomenon of gays and lesbians using America Online (AOL) chatrooms to find friends and partners. This issue also highlights the various responses of certain Christian denominations regarding recent events in the LGBTQ+ community, such as the Southern Baptist call to boycott the Walt Disney Company for its high number of gay and lesbian employees. Throughout the issue are continued reports on AIDS medications, as well as information regarding court cases in the community.

Since 1994, The Watermark 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, The Watermark has consistently published newspaper-style issues every other Thursday. Gaining traction, the publication expanded in 1995 to include Tampa and, in 1997, The Watermark 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 The Watermark.]]>
The Watermark, Vol. 4, No. 17, August 21-September 3, 1997: Publications Collection, GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.]]> Watermark Media]]> The Watermark&gt]]> The Watermark Collection, LGBTQ+ Collection, RICHES.]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> Watermark Media.]]> Watermark Publishing Group and is provided here by RICHES for educational purposes only.]]>