COVID-19 is dominating news coverage and social media, and with information changing and updating rapidly we want to make sure the local LGBTQ community is keeping up on the most up-to-date information when it comes to medical recommendations, organizational resources and business closures.
Below are links to the information we have compiled, as well as some resources to keep an eye on. Please check back frequently as information is constantly updating and changing. Also, be sure to check in on those close to you who are most vulnerable to the coronavirus.
An important note from Watermark owner, publisher and editor Rick Claggett:
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Publish, not perish: LGBTQ media confront COVID-19
MEDICAL AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES
COVID-19 Resources: Central Florida and Tampa Bay
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 information
Florida Department of Health (FDoH) COVID-19 information
Tampa General Hospital information
Certified Nursing Assistants hand washing guide
How to clean the bundle of germs that is your phone
COVID-19 IN-DEPTH FEATURE COVERAGE
Coronavirus concerns impact Central Florida and Tampa Bay (Print Edition)
Coronavirus concerns impact Central Florida and Tampa Bay (Online Edition)
Essential Heroes: LGBTQ workers reflect on COVID-19 from the frontlines (Print Edition)
Essential Heroes: LGBTQ workers reflect on COVID-19 from the frontlines (Online Edition)
Virtual June: LGBTQ Pride Month is coming to a screen near you (Print Edition)
Virtual June: LGBTQ Pride Month is coming to a screen near you (Online Edition)
Dry State: Central Florida and Tampa Bay LGBTQ bars, nightclubs navigate COVID-19 (Print Edition)
Dry State: Central Florida and Tampa Bay LGBTQ bars, nightclubs navigate COVID-19 (Online Edition)
They Know Joe: LGBTQ, ally delegates back Biden at virtual convention (Print Edition)
They Know Joe: LGBTQ, ally delegates back Biden at virtual convention (Online Edition)
COVID-19 AND COMMUNITY VIEWPOINT SERIES
CAN Community Health President and CEO Richard E. Carlisle
26Health President and co-CEO Dr. David Baker-Hargrove
Florida State Representative Jennifer Webb
Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla
St. Petersburg LGBTQ Liaison Jim Nixon
Entertainment consultant Camille Barbone
LOCAL CLOSURES & COMMUNITY INFORMATION
stories listed from oldest to most recent updates
Hope & Help’s AIDS Walk Orlando postponed
Southern Nights Orlando and Tampa announce temporary closures
Central Florida LGBTQ businesses announce closures
Florida shuts down bars and clubs for 30-day period
Enzian postpones Florida Film Festival
Equality Florida postpones 2020 St. Pete Gala
New Port Richey’s The Asylum announces permanent closure
KindRED Pride, One Magical Weekend, GayDayS still moving forward with June celebration
St Pete Pride 2020 still scheduled for June
Orlando Fringe’s 2020 Festival is cancelled
Central Florida drag queens to stream shows on social media
Tampa Bay entertainers stream performances amidst COVID-19 closures
Hamburger Mary’s Clearwater announces temporary closure
Tampa International Fringe Festival postponed
Florida halts on-site restaurant dining, alcohol consumption
Punky’s Bar and Grill suspends operations
Acclaimed playwright Terrence McNally dies at 81
Help Watermark bring readers and restaurants/bars together
Enzian announces On Demand service as people self quarantine
Tampa Bay performers announce unofficial, digital Tampa Pride weekend
Metro Inclusive Health hosts virtual ‘Coping through COVID-19’ event
Tidal Wave Party first group to cancel June events in Orlando
Tampa Bay community champion Robert Barnum dies from COVID-19 complications
Equality Florida virtually honors Transgender Day of Visibility 2020
Come Out With Pride to host virtual event to benefit LGBTQ community
Ginger Minj and Gidget Galore perform as a part of Digital Drag Fest
Equality Florida virtually honors Transgender Day of Visibility 2020
Digital Showcase to stream live, benefit performers in Central Florida
Tampa Bay entertainers stream recurring virtual shows
North Pinellas Pride postpones Dunedin return
One Magical Weekend moves June events to 2021
Mayor Castor, iHeartMedia launch Tampa Bay ‘Karaoke Dance Party’
Harvey Milk Festival postpones, announces fundraiser participation
Metro Inclusive Health fundraiser spotlights transgender visibility
Central Florida’s Milk District launches neighborhood program to help struggling businesses
Disney World furloughing 43,000 more workers due to virus
The Center Orlando postpones Dining Out For Life, Harvey Milk Breakfast fundraisers
South Florida police chief placed on leave after claiming deputy died of COVID-19 because he was gay
Florida entertainer sleeps through virtual show, goes viral as ‘Miss Quarantine’
Virtual dance parties support St. Petersburg’s ‘gayborhood’
GayDayS reschedules to Halloween weekend 2020
Orlando LGBTQ form relief fund, entertain community
Nonbinary Brandon resident who chronicled COVID-19 illness dies
Social Distancing Showcase benefiting Actors Fund returns
Harvey Milk Festival announces virtual celebration, artist search
Pulse Rainbow Run postponed, Remembrance Ceremony to be virtual
St Pete Pride 2020 rescheduled to the fall
Come Out With Pride announces 2nd ‘Stay In With Pride’ event
Straz Center, Jobsite Theater launch virtual experiences
KindRED Pride organizing drive-up donations for Joy MCC Food Bank
Polk Pride, official events rescheduled
Tampa Pride postponed until 2021
Enzian Theater adds LGBTQ comedy ‘Straight Up’ to On Demand service
WATCH: Equality Florida’s virtual event raises more than $56K
Orlando among the best US cities to be quarantined in
Sarasota LGBTQ, ally nonprofits benefit from 2020 giving challenge
The Pride Chamber to launch Bounce Back Orlando
PHOTOS: Tampa Bay’s Inside + Out quarantine gallery
PHOTOS: Central Florida’s Inside + Out quarantine gallery
The Center Orlando re-opens with limited services
Tampa Bay LGBTQ, ally restaurants reopen
Central Florida community members making 3K masks for underserved essential workers
Metro announces virtual summer camp for LGBTQ youth
Dr. Phillips Center announces changes to its 2020-21 Broadway season
Manatee Pride cancels 2020 festival
American Stage announces virtual return
EPIC hosts drive-in film fundraiser
TIGLFF launches virtual screenings with new program director
St Pete Pride cancels 2020 celebration
freeFall Theatre looks to the future during fundraiser
Orange County libraries make changes with reopening
Come Out With Pride seeks feedback for COVID-19 concerns, attending Pride
Space Coast Pride cancels 2020 fall events
Orange County offers coronavirus aid to residents and businesses with CARES Act
Tampa Bay LGBTQ bars reopen with safety precautions
LGBTQ artists share their Pride in ‘Don’t Ask, Do Tell’
Orlando Gay Chorus celebrates 30 years with virtual Pride concert
Central Florida nonprofit lends support to local LGBTQ+ restaurants
Virtual vigil seeks to unite LGBTQ, African American communities
Central Florida LGBTQ+ organizations host virtual symposium
Hamburger Mary’s Orlando closes temporarily as staff member tests positive for coronavirus
LGBTQ+ organizations from around the world come together for Global Pride 2020
PHOTOS: LGBTQ, Black communities unite for ‘Together We Rise’
Tampa’s All Hallows’ Ball cancels 2020 haunting
St Pete Pride launches Grand Central District mural fundraiser
Global Pride draws more than 57 million viewers
Hope & Help moves to virtual appointments due to rising coronavirus numbers
6S Boutique to close St. Pete storefront, transition to online retailer
The Center Orlando announces virtual Harvey Milk Breakfast
Florida police chief to retire after alleged homophobic remarks
PHOTOS: Progressive Pride street mural completed in St. Petersburg
GayDayS postpones events until 2021
The Center Orlando awarded $250K grant from CARES Act
10 LGBTQ-themed films make their way to the Florida Film Festival’s reimagined fest
Rep. Shevrin Jones barred from donating blood, targeted by homophobic texts
Polk Pride, official events postponed until 2021
Central Florida community leaders form nonprofit to help struggling artists
