I wasn’t close friends with Sam Singhaus. Like many people in Central Florida, I mostly knew Sam as Miss Sammy, the iconic drag queen who was the go-to hostess of many community events including Watermark’s own WAVE Awards and Movies Out Loud.
Both Watermark’s current and previous owners — and many current and past employees — were very good friends with Sam. Sam was a major part of Watermark and a legend in the community long before I moved to Orlando and joined this publication.
Sam and I were community acquaintances, we would see each other out at events and occasionally at one of the LGBTQ bars where he worked. We didn’t meet up for dinner or drinks, or hang out at each other’s homes. But the magic that is Sam is no matter where we saw each other, in the moments we chatted, he made me feel like I was his oldest and dearest friend. He asked how I was doing, how my family was doing. In those moments he made me feel like I was a part of his world. And what a world it was.
Whether as Miss Sammy or Sam Singhaus, that infectious smile and those kind eyes were unmatched and recognizable from a mile away. In those eyes, you could see his kindness and compassion. You could also see the passion and fight he had for this community.
I was recently reminded of one of my favorite Sam memories when a friend sent me a photo of Sam, me and a couple of friends taken last year. It was in June when Donald Trump had come to Orlando to announce his re-election campaign at the Amway Center. A huge crowd was gathered on Church Street in front of Stonewall Bar for the “Win With Love Rally.”
I was there taking pictures for Watermark and I ran into Sam, who was carrying a long sign that read “DUMP TRUMP!” We had one of those moments where he made me feel like I was his closest and dearest friend. He hugged me, asked how I was doing and wanted to know what was going on in my life. Focusing on me and actually listening to what I had to say.
Then we started talking about Trump, and Sam told me how important it is to vote and hold our elected leaders accountable. He had some colorful language he used to describe Trump that I won’t publish here but I admired the passion and love he had for this country and how beautifully and intelligently he spoke about politics and what we all needed to be doing. Then his eyes lit up and he got a huge smile on his face as he asked “Did you get a chance to see the big Trump Baby balloon?”
The infamous 20-foot, helium-filled bright orange balloon of a baby Trump wearing a diaper and holding a smartphone was the centerpiece of the rally. Sam had gone from talking about the importance of voting to making sure that while I was working I was still out there enjoying myself and having a good time.
That is how I will always remember Sam. Bringing fun and joy wherever he went and to everyone he met, but also standing up for what is right and just by being vocal for those who don’t have a loud enough voice. Both strong and compassionate.
To know how legendary Sam was and how many lives he touched you only need to look at the many, many tributes to him on social media. The hundreds of photos that show that infectious smile and those kind eyes. Sam was one in a million and his passing leaves a very big hole in the community.
Whether you knew Sam well, only publicly or hardly at all; the best way to honor this legend is to go out, make someone smile and be sure that you vote.
In this issue, we look to help you make up your voting mind in this election cycle with our 2020 LGBTQ voters’ guide. We reached out to each of the candidates in Central Florida and Tampa Bay’s congressional, state House and state Senate races and asked them a series of questions to see how pro- or anti-LGBTQ they are. We also go over the different ways you can vote to make sure your voice is heard safely.
In A&E, the Orlando Ballet returns to the stage with “The Sleeping Beauty,” the first show to open at the Dr. Phillips Center since its initial closure due to the pandemic.
In news, One Orlando Alliance announces its new executive director, Parliament House addresses the rumors that it is closing next month, we follow Rep. Charlie Crist around St. Pete as he visits LGBTQ businesses impacted by COVID and Come OUT St Pete celebrates National Coming Out Day.
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