2012 has been a wild year up to this point. Election news, natural disasters and a slew of stories on domestic partner registries have dominated the headlines. And the headlines in Watermark have been no exception.
So it’s a nice break from all of the heavy news to once again ask our readers about a few of their favorite things, namely, who and/or what is worthy of the 2012 WAVE Awards.
Each year, we ask our readers to vote for their favorites in the Watermark Awards for Variety and Excellence. And like many years past, our readers did not let us down. Our online poll was up throughout most of September and part of October, giving readers across the state a chance to share their opinions on a variety of topics.
Businesses and individuals campaigned on Facebook and Twitter again this year for “Favorite Bar,” Favorite Spa” or “Favorite website.” A few close races brought some surprises – which is easier to do when you don’t have exit polling at every laptop or smartphone.
The Annual WAVES give these individuals and businesses some well-deserved bragging rights, but they also give us an opportunity to learn a little more about some of the people that make their respective LGBT communities tick. We took some time this year to speak with a few of the winners this year to not only give them a chance to thank our readers for the recognition, but to explain to us a little bit more about what they do and how they see the world.
The lists are long again this year and include first, second and third-place winners. There will no doubt be plenty of familiar names among the listings and possibly a few new ones as well.
Get comfortable and dive into the WAVES, and afterward, congratulate the winners. After all, it was you, our readers, who chose them.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
When votes come in for our annual WAVE Awards, there are several names and organizations we expect to see – Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, The Center in Orlando, ALSO Out Youth in Sarasota. Typically, those familiar names show up in the top 3 lists presented in the previous pages. But every year we are surprised by a few of the nominations submitted by our readers in a variety of categories.
Some elicit the “Oh yeah!” response from our staff while others just simply have us scratching our heads.
We’re suckers for tradition, so in the tradition of WAVE Award ballots of the past, we proudly present to you our 2012 batch of Honorable Mentions:
Oh Yeah!
Favorite Politician: Gainesville Mayor Craig Lowe, Congressman Bill Nelson, Congresswoman Kathy Castor, Largo Commissioner Michael Smith, Rep. Rick Kriseman
Greatest Straight Ally: Marci Singhaus, Pam Iorio, Walt Disney Company, President Barack Obama, Watermark online media director Jamie Hyman, Crowbar owner Bonnie Plumtree, JCPenny, Kathy Griffin, Starbucks, Joe Redner
Most Effective LGBT Organization: Metro Wellness and Community Centers; GaYbor District Coalition, MyQmunity; Rainbow411, TIGLFF, Church of the Trinity MCC, Stonewall Democrats, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Florida QUACK, Step Out Sarasota, OADO
Favorite Local Clergy: Rev. Lisa Helig, Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Pastor Joyce Stone, Rev. Candace Shultis
Favorite Local LGBT Sports League: Frontrunners, Gay Bowling, Tampa Bay Outlaws, Orange Blossom Tennis Association, A League of Our Own, UKA Kickball
Favorite Local Journalist: Jamie Hyman, Liz Langley, Ken Kundis, Mary Meeks, Kirk Hartlage, Scottie Campbell, Stephen Miller, Tom Dyer
Favorite Charitable Event: Santa Speedo Run, Red & Green Ball, Babes in Bonnets, Red Ribbon Ball, Orlando Fringe Festival, Scooters for Hooters, Miracle on 7th, Strike Out for AIDS, Wine Art & Heart, Sarasota Pridefest
Favorite Photographer: Lee Vandergrift, Chris Stephenson, James Michael McCracken, Layden Photography, Phantom Photographics, Julie Milford, Angie Folks, Byron Schaerr, Rainbow411, Todd Richardson
Who Best Exemplifies the LGBT Community: Chris Rudisill, Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor, Esme Russell, Greg Henchar and Victor Lopez, Alexis Mateo, Kevin Beckner, Mark Bias, Carrie West, Stephanie Shippae, Roger Medrano, Michael Wanzie, Sue Bee Laginess, Gina Duncan, Tom Dyer, Joe Saunders, Mikael Audebert, Erik Caban, Doug Ba’aser, Blue Starr, Sam Singhaus
WTH?
Favorite Local Politician: Bert and Ernie, Florida Governor Rick Scott
Favorite Straight Ally to the LGBT Community: Mitt Romney, Myself, Teresa Jacobs, Captain Underpants
Favorite Local Clergy Leader: Oxymoron, My Priest, Me and all other witches
Gayest Local Event: The Holy Land Experience
Switch Jobs With Anyone: Anyone with more money than me, A rich retiree, Donald Duck, Shamu, Pluto
Editor’s Picks!
Straight Allies to the LGBT Community: Parliament House owners Don and Sue Granatstein, Chelsea Nightclub owner Nikki Turnon, St. Petersburg City Councilman Jeff Danner, Karaoke Jockeys Scott and Normie Dunn, Dr. Kathleen Farrell, Radio DJ Steve Kramer
Favorite Local Journalists: Tampa Bay Times columnists Sue Carlton and Daniel Ruth, Bay News 9 anchor Veronica Citron, Creative Loafing editor David Warner, Watermark contributors Zach Caruso, Greg Stemm and Joe Kissel
Who best exemplifies the LGBT Community: Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan, Trans*Action executive director Michael Keefe, Performer Darcel Stevens, Andy and Sasha Citino, ASAP’s Jay Aller and William Harper, Rev. Phyllis Hunt, Miss Sammy, Carol Lee, Thompson Kellett, Hillsborough Democratic Caucus President Sally Phillips, St. Petersburg City Councilman Steve Kornell and partner Bobby Poth, Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, Tampa Police officer Gil Sainz, Mark Bias and Carrie West, Chris Tate, Brian Longstreth
