The Watermark was published on July 17, 2003. The lead story raises questions about the death of a former Orlandoan hairdresser, Robert Murray (1965-2003), in Louisiana. Murray had been popular in the Orlando LGBTQ+ community. Other topics covered include plans for Pride celebrations that October, a Florida civil rights law that neglected to include sexual orientation on its non-discrimination list, and a second Canadian province to legalize gay marriage. The issue also covers a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the city of Tampa for the death of a lesbian police officer, and outrage within the Southern Baptist Convention for the appointment of a lesbian minister in Tennessee. The Water Colors section covers a spotlight on a new television show, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, which was a makeover show on Bravo network.

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. 10, No. 15, July 17-30, 2003: Publications Collection, GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.]]> Watermark Media]]> The Watermark, Vol. 10, No. 15, July 17-30, 2003.]]> The Watermark Collection, RICHES.]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> Watermark Media.]]> Watermark Publishing Group and is provided here by RICHES for educational purposes only.]]>