The Watermark was published on July 3, 2003, and provided coverage on the biggest summer event of the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) community: Pride. From the Central Florida Pride Parade to the first ever St. Pete Pride, thousands of LGBTQ+ people came out to celebrate their culture, heritage, and community in the last week of June. This issue covers the United States Supreme Court ruling on Lawrence v. Texas, which banned Texas's sodomy laws and solidified the private rights of citizens. It also includes features on the gay-owned, gay-centric Suncoast Resort, and Canada's decision to legalize gay marriages.

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. 14, July 3-16, 2003: Publications Collection, GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.]]> Watermark Media]]> The Watermark, Vol. 10, No. 14, July 3-16, 2003.]]> The Watermark Collection, RICHES.]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> Watermark Media.]]> Watermark Publishing Group and is provided here by RICHES for educational purposes only.]]>