The Watermark was published on May 5, 2005, and was the paper's Business and Finance issue. This section of the paper analyzes the incomes and spending patterns of LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) readers, spotlighting several Central Florida businesses, and providing information on bankruptcy laws. The issue also covers the openly lesbian, newly appointed head of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC), same-sex legislative rulings in various states such as Texas, and Microsoft's reversal of support for a law that would have protected LGBTQ+ individuals. Other topics include an ongoing investigation of a man charged with the kidnapping, assault, and murders of numerous gay men, as well as the prohibition of students from wearing pro-gay apparel in a number of schools.

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. 12, No. 9, May 5-18, 2005: Publications Collection, GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.]]> Watermark Media]]> The Watermark, Vol. 12, No. 9, May 5-18, 2005.]]> The Watermark Collection, RICHES.]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> Watermark Media.]]> Watermark Publishing Group and is provided here by RICHES for educational purposes only.]]>
0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:48 Land development
0:04:07 Florida Technological University and the Oviedo Land Group
0:07:51 Migration to Oviedo and working with Ben Ward, Jr.
0:13:30 Wife and children
0:14:29 Population growth and Florida Technological University
0:18:39 Ben Ward’s contributions to the community
0:19:24 Blackwood Construction Corporation and Lutheran Haven
0:20:25 Schools and desegregation in St. Petersburg
0:21:57 St. Petersburg and career as a city planner]]>
Oviedo Historical Society, Oviedo, Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]> Oviedo Historical Society, Oviedo, Florida.]]> Oviedo Historical Society Collection, History Harvest Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Flash Player]]> Java]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> RICHES of Central Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]>

This oral history interview was conducted by Mary Hughes Young on April 1, 2014. Interview topics include Levine's background, his enlistment in the Air Force and drafting into the U.S. Army, basic and advanced training, being stations in Europe, getting married voerseas, returning to the U.S. after being discharged, and his life as a civilian afterward.]]>
0:00:32 Background
0:02:38 Draft and enlistment
0:06:42 Basic training at Lackland Air Force Base
0:10:06 Sharpshooting and career assignment
0:13:52 Advanced training at Amarillo Air Force Base
0:21:16 Assignment in Europe
0:26:55 Relationships with other servicemen and assignments
0:30:15 Getting married overseas
0:31:09 Rank and discharge
0:33:30 Life after service
0:36:28 Treatment from civilians
0:37:29 How service affected civilian life
0:39:15 Closing remarks]]>
Levine, Lawrence Paul. Interviewed by Mary Hughes Young. April 1, 2014. Audio/video record available. Item DP0014898, UCF Community Veterans History Project, Orlando, Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]> Veterans History Projects, Library of Congress.]]> Levine, Lawrence Paul. Interviewed by Mary Hughes Young. April 1, 2014.]]> UCF Community Veterans History Project, Orlando, Florida.]]> UCF Community Veterans History Project Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Flash Player]]> Java]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> RICHES of Central Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]>
University of Central Florida Department of History, Orlando, Florida.]]> University of Central Florida Department of History]]> Florida Photographic Collection]]> State Library and Archives of Florida]]> Library of Congress]]> Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture]]> Harry T. &amp]]> The Long History of the African American Civil Rights Movement in Florida.]]> The Long History of the African American Civil Rights Movement in Florida Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> University of Central Florida Department of History and is provided here by RICHES for educational purposes only.]]>