10.20.16 Editor’s Desk

It’s always with a sense of consternation that we face down these weeks leading up to the November political sweepstakes, especially in presidential-election years.

The white noise can overpower the progressiveness and inspiration that leadership is meant to ignite; the television advertisements find their way to the nearest drain to see just how low they can go before the gutter becomes the wall; the erosion of trust becomes its own beast, as conspiracy theorists draft their narratives as a means of leveraging their distaste with nearly everything. Meanwhile, pies meet skies in overstated narratives of importance, polls slip into their margins of error and apathy, inevitably, reigns supreme. It’s an ugly story and it always has been. It’s also the key to the core of our nation, and should be treated as such: with respect and the sense of duty that public service requires.

That caveat aside, this year has seen an unprecedented level of mirth in the mythology. The trickle-down of partisan politics between a capitalism caricature with funding and fondling issues and a former first lady, senator and secretary of state who everyone has selectively branded as “shrill” has been one for the history books. Deplorable? Yes. Important? Even more so.

For the LGBTQ Community – and, ultimately, any minority that finds itself fighting for rights in what we used to call a “free country” – this could be the most important election of our lives. That’s not just hyperbole. Without getting too deep into the gristle, the complications presented by campaign finance overtures and voting-rights curtain lights are so complex that all most people can do is rubberneck at the decline and fall of Western Civilization.

In attempt to cool some jets and diffuse the obligatory blame game, Watermark’s crack editorial team had its conference table moment to discuss how we might handle endorsements this year. It’s clear that we are largely in agreement on nearly all of our picks, as it is incredibly difficult to throw support in the direction of any candidate that comes after us, our sisters, our allies and our friends with pitchforks. Just a few months ago, we were shocked into paralysis by the largest gun massacre in American history, and it happened in Orlando, the happiest place on earth. One year prior, we were gifted – before many states – the right to marry our partners regardless of gender. This has been the year of the backlash that begat sometimes tone-deaf reaction. As editor of this publication, I never thought I would see the day where a first lady had to reprimand a candidate for sexually predatory behavior. I never thought that we’d be subject to the near complete breakdown of a political party.

Again, this is not hyperbole. This is us now.

In this issue, we highlight two candidates – Beth Tuura in the Orlando area and Jennifer Webb in the Tampa Bay area – as a means of illuminating how down-ticket races are incredibly important to Florida’s future. Both are in possession of unpolluted political acumen, each with strong progressive views on the environment, gun control women’s rights and LGBTQ rights. Both are, in their own ways, part of the LGBTQ community. Both are a source of inspiration in an increasingly acrid political climate. They have won the endorsements of their peers, our peers – your Planned Parenthoods, your Equality Floridas – but mostly they have reminded me – and us – that scrappy individuals with strong backgrounds are the stuff this country is made of. As a result, they’ve made us a little less worried about the 2016 general election and a little more interested in seeing productive and progressive life from sharp angles that we may outwardly recognize, but may not inwardly fully experience. These two women are gracing our cov
ers for a reason. Politics still matter. The future still matters.

And while there are a lot of politics in this issue, you’ll find numerous distractions of the Watermark variety. We have stories about Trans Pride from our gulf coast and a postponed Come Out With Pride from Orlando. We’ve even snuck in a conversation with Felipe Rose from the Village People – he of the feathered headdress – as he and his village-mates will be headlining a fundraiser for Aspire Health Partners this month. Also, for those into heavier matters, there’s a slasher film that is an allegory for coming out of the closet while at the same time being a vehicle for a former sidekick of the Hulk Hogan empire. It’s Florida, people.

Inside, as always, you’ll find a voting guide that is just about as comprehensive as our space would allow. Apologies to every candidate not included, because given the vast swath of candidates in our reading area – and the tone and import of this election – we had to do some selective editing. Blame me. I’m the editor.