The Watermark was published on September 27, 2001 and came after the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Throughout the issue, many columns focused on the tragedy, highlighting the experiences and reactions of the columnists. A re-printed article was featured from the Washington Blade about some members of the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) community who were lost in the terrorists attacks. Prominent among these individuals was gay public relations executive, Mark Bingham (1970-2001), who was on Flight 93. However, despite the freshness of pain and loss in this issue, there was a concerted effort to focus on some of the more positive events going on in the LGBTQ+ community, such as the 12th Annual Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and the Hope &amp]]> The Watermark strikes a balance between hurt and loss with positivity and community while maintaining the paper's unique outlook on all events.

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. 8, No. 20, September 27-October 10, 2001: Publications Collection, , Orlando, Florida.]]> Watermark Media]]> The Watermark, Vol. 8, No. 20, September 27-October 10, 2001.]]> The Watermark Collection, LGBTQ+ Collection, RICHES.]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> Watermark Media.]]> Watermark Publishing Group and is provided here by RICHES for educational purposes only.]]>