The Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 1, August 31, 1994
Gay culture--United States
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>.
Bach, R. A.
Dyer, Tom
Fowler, G. K.
Kilgore, Michael L.
Liebman, Marvin
Maines, Ted
O'Lay, Lola
Schultz, Nan
Sheldon, Laurence
Singhaus, Sam
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.
<a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank">Watermark Media</a>
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Orlando, Florida
Winter Park, Florida
Augusta, Maine
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
Sacramento, California
Boxcars, Casselberry, Florida
The Watermark, Vol. 9, No. 21, October 10-23, 2002
Gay culture--United States
The twenty-first issue of the ninth volume of <em>The Watermark</em> was published on October 10, 2002 and continued to provide coverage of politicians running for state government positions, as the mid-term elections would be held in November. In this issue, the Florida Attorney General race between Charlie Crist (R) (b. 1956) and Buddy Dyer (D) (b. 1958) is examined. The issue also highlights fall events occurring within the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) community, including the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and "Bear Bust." Additionally, this issue covered an LGBTQ+ organization at a Sarasota college, Equality Florida's 2nd Annual Central Florida Reception, Pridefest, and less encouraging incidences of queerphobia. Director of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center (aka The Center), Lana Brito, was interviewed, as was an openly gay "Big Brother" of the Big Brother Big Sisters of America chapter in Tampa. A clothing line called Butchwear, pioneered by Alex Brendell, was featured in the Water Colors pullout section.<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>.
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
Sullivan, John
Smith, Scott Jackson
Triggs, Greg
Varnell, Paul
Viren, Sarah
Walen, Rick
Westveer, Drew
Wiggins, Jayelle
Wilde, Diane
Original 68-page newspaper: <a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank"><em>The Watermark</em></a>, Vol. 9, No. 21, October 10-23, 2002: Publications Collection, <a href="http://glbthistorymuseum.com/joomla25/index.php?lang=en" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>, Orlando, Florida.
<a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank">Watermark Media</a>
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Orlando, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Manatee Community College, Bradenton, Florida
The Lyceuym, St. Petersburg, Florida
Full Moon Saloon, Orlando, Florida
West Hollywood, California
Daytona Beach, Florida
Tampa Bay Business Guild, Tampa, Florida
The Watermark, Vol. 11, No. 19, September 23-October 6, 2004
Gay culture--United States
The nineteenth issue of the eleventh volume of <em>The Watermark</em> was published on September 23, 2004, and celebrated the paper's tenth anniversary as well as the fifteenth anniversary of the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Although the front page claims the issue is the nineteenth, it is actually the twentieth. Following back-to-back hurricanes, Charley and Frances, the issue evaluates the impact of the storms on local Central Florida businesses, such as the Parliament House, newly-opened Savoy, and the Suncoast Resort. It also covers the efforts of Canadian provincial governments to legalize same-sex marriages, the closing of Orlando's pride shop, and the decision to allow gay foster parents to keep custody of their two girls. The <em>Water Colors</em> section details the progress of <em>The Watermark</em> since its inception in 1994, while a pull out section provides a daily schedule of the upcoming Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.<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>.
Baber, Keith
Blanchard, Steven
Cassidy, Joanna
Crescitelli, Jim
DeJesus, Edwin
Dyer, Tom
Hartlage, Kirk
Jackowitz, Enid
Jackowitz, Syd
Jenkins, Georgia
Karl, John
Kundis, Ken
Masters, Billy
Middour, Bryan L.
Murray-Parker, Karen S.
Nolan, Margaret
Roehr, Bob
Sattler, Jessica
Triggs, Greg
Walen, Rick
Wiethop, Dave
Wiggins, Jayelle
Wilde, Diane
Original 64-page newspaper: <a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank"><em>The Watermark</em></a>, Vol. 11, No. 19, September 23-October 6, 2004: Publications Collection, <a href="http://glbthistorymuseum.com/joomla25/index.php?lang=en" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>, Orlando, Florida.
<a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank">Watermark Media</a>
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Orlando, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Tampa Theatre, Tampa, Florida
Rainbow City, Orlando, Florida
Savoy, Orlando, Florida
Winter Park, Florida
Key West, Florida
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 5, October 26, 1994
Gay culture--United States
The fifth issue of <em>The Watermark</em> was published on October 26, 1994, and attempted to balance family and politics in dealing with national LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) issues. This new perception allowed the front page to have an article on the developing Gay Neighborhoods in Orlando and on the involvement of gay voters in upcoming elections. Another major section of the paper was dedicated to the scandal revolving around state representative Jimmy Charles, and the sex solicitation case that he was involved in that resulted in him addressing homosexuals in the same breath as pedophiles, delinquents, pimps, and more. Continuing its trend of publishing international stories, this issue addresses the Oregon Citizen Alliance accusing gays as being key participants in the Holocaust, a Colorado anti-gay bill being declared unconstitutional, and the World Health Organization’s addressing of a vaccine to treat HIV. Another issue covered was the inequality of credit for LGBTQ+ members and the proposed gay credit union for Orlando. Finally, this issue saw a spike in advertisements specifically targeting HIV+/AIDS patients.<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>.
Almeida, David
Brenner, Harmony
De Matteis, Stephan
Dean, Brandon
Dyer, Tom
Kilgore, Michael
Kundis, Ken
Maines, Ted
Morgan, Richard
O'Lay, Lola
Schultz, Nan
Toscas, Dimitri
Original 28-page newspaper: <a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank"><em>The Watermark</em></a>, Vol. 1, No. 5, October 26, 1994: Publications Collection, <a href="http://glbthistorymuseum.com/joomla25/index.php?lang=en" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>, Orlando, Florida.
<a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank">Watermark Media</a>
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Orlando, Florida
Tampa, Florida
West Palm Beach, Florida
Atlanta, Georgia
Washington, D.C.
Salem, Oregon
Denver, Colorado
Boston, Massachusetts
Geneva, Switzerland
Nashville, Tennessee
Detroit, Michigan
The Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 2, September 14, 1994
Gay culture--United States
The second issue of <em>The Watermark</em> was published on September 14, 1994, and focused on a wider spectrum of LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) topics. Kicking off the news was the cover article covering the "Gayby Boom," which was the push for LGBTQ+ members to have children. Continuing a more family-focused set of articles was an article covering the harassment of gay teens at Apopka High School, a look at the LGBTQ+ community housing market, and a new section of restaurant reviews. This issue also included a larger selection of national news stories, including Oregon’s Anti-Gay initiative, Seattle’s Domestic Partnership Registration, North Carolina’s attempt to keep records of unmarried couples, and the U.S. Navy’s reinstatement of a gay sailor are among the highlights. Notably missing are articles covering the nightlife of the area, through advertisements are still present. As the publication ages and spreads, nightlife becomes one of its primary sections so seeing an early issue without demonstrates the evolving nature of the publication during its early years.<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>.
Barber, Keith
Brenner, Harmony
Crescitelli, James A.
De Mattels, Stephen
Dyer, Tom
Maines, Ted
Newman, Lesléa
O'Lay, Lola
Sloan, Rosanne
Toscas, Dimitri
Original 24-page newspaper: <a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank"><em>The Watermark</em></a>, Vol. 1, No. 2, September 14, 1994: Publications Collection, <a href="http://glbthistorymuseum.com/joomla25/index.php?lang=en" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>, Orlando, Florida.
<a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank">Watermark Media</a>
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Orlando, Florida
Apopka High School, Apopka, Florida
West Palm Beach, Florida
Salem, Oregon
Seattle, Washington
Carrboro, North Carolina
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Des Moines, Iowa
Tallahassee, Florida
Atlanta, Georgia
San Francisco, California
The Watermark, Vol. 1, No. 3, September 28, 1994
Gay culture--United States
The third issue of <em>The Watermark</em> was published on September 28, 1994 and continued to focus on family-orientated LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) issues. The front page was dedicated to two articles, one about the rapidly increasing gay marriage movement, and the other focusing on National Coming Out Day. The third page included a half page obituary for Charles W. Hummer III, who died of AIDS of September 19, 2016. The paper continued to publish more national stories this time including, New York’s push to include "significant others" on insurance benefits, the limitations put on lesbian mothers in Utah, and a dental discrimination case in Texas. The paper also continues to discuss discrimination in schools that had started in the previous 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>.
Dyer, Tom
Fowler, G. K.
Gustetter, April L.
Kilgore, Michael C.
Kundis, Ken
Maines, Ted
O'Lay, Lola
Schultz, Toscas, Dimitri
Nan
Williams, R.M.
Original 24-page newspaper: <a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank"><em>The Watermark</em></a>, Vol. 1, No. 3, September 28, 1994: Publications Collection, <a href="http://glbthistorymuseum.com/joomla25/index.php?lang=en" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>, Orlando, Florida.
<a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank">Watermark Media</a>
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Orlando, Florida
Salt Lake City, Utah
Atlanta, Georgia
Albany, New York
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Houston, Texas
Miami, Florida
Hilton Walt Disney World Village, Orlando, Florida
The Watermark, Vol. 4, No. 20, October 2-15, 1997
Gay culture--United States
The twentieth issue in the fourth volume of <em>The Watermark</em> was published on October 2, 1997, and covers relevant news in the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) community. The cover story features the discrepancy in Public Broadcasting System (PBS) programming regarding the gay and lesbian television magazine, <em>In the Life</em>. The show was hosted by Katherine Linton and aired in all major Florida cities except Orlando. Other stories include an interview with lesbian author Patricia Nell Warren regarding her latest novel in <em>The Front Runners</em> series, an interview with gay author Ethan Mordden about his latest installment in his "Buddies" series, <em>Some Men Are Lookers</em>, and a collection of anecdotes about LGBTQ+ individuals' first experiences at gay bars. Additionally, this issue provides updates on the decline in new AIDS cases and new breakthroughs in treatment for AIDS. Other topics covered included the court case of a Washington State teen, who had been bullied at school for being gay, and a local theatre production of <em>Life In Other People's Shoes</em>. This issue of <em>The Watermark</em> deals heavily with the concept of gay culture, especially as it is found in mass media, such as literature and television, and its lasting impact on LGBTQ+ individuals.<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>.
Dyer, Tom
York, KimBoo
Kilgore, Michael L.
Toscas, Dmitri
Smith, Nadine
Kirchler, Karen
Wilde, Diane
Crescitelli, Jim
Kundis, Ken
Sloan, Rosanne
Almeida, David
Provenche, Andre
Thomas, Clive
Triggs, Greg
Vassel, Yvonne C. T.
Smith, Scott
Masters, Billy
Vaillancourt, David
Wiggins, Jayelle
Varnell, Paul
Keehnen, Owen
Mann, William
Skeel, Laura
Original 56-page newspaper: <a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank"><em>The Watermark</em></a>, Vol. 4, No. 20, October 2-15, 1997: Publications Collection, <a href="http://glbthistorymuseum.com/joomla25/index.php?lang=en" target="_blank">GLBT History Museum of Central Florida</a>, Orlando, Florida.
<a href="http://www.watermarkonline.com/" target="_blank">Watermark Media</a>
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Orlando, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Daytona Beach, Florida
Kent School District, Seattle, Washington
Honolulu, Hawaii