Like most things in our new normal, the end of 2020 has been unique. While October, November and December have long been my favorite months of the year, this one in particular tried its best to change that.
It was difficult not to let it at times, like during Halloween. The global pandemic rightfully kept responsible, in-person celebrations at bay this year – easily the best part, candy aside – and it stung a bit. I love a costume, but wearing one at home on a Zoom call didn’t pack the same punch.
Like a lot of folks in the LGBTQ community, I’ve always loved Halloween. It gives so many of us the opportunity to outwardly reflect whomever or whatever we want to be, praised by a world that often shuns us for doing exactly that.
Thankfully whatever loss I was feeling quickly subsided after Joe Biden’s victory in November’s presidential election. It allowed my husband and I to celebrate our four-year wedding anniversary knowing the country had taken its first steps in a long-overdue course correction.
In electing not only the most pro-LGBTQ presidential ticket in U.S. history but the nation’s first female vice president in Kamala Harris, we finally had a much-needed win. It gave us plenty to be grateful for on Thanksgiving, which out of necessity also looked different this year.
Instead of visiting family early in the day and ending the evening in a turkey-induced coma with friends, my husband and I bucked tradition to enjoy dinner for two. Of course I use “dinner for two” loosely, since we arguably made a feast for about 20.
Our Thanksgiving centerpiece was about 12 more pounds of turkey than we actually needed, a testament to the American dream. In a credit to Harris, it also tasted incredible – since in our attempts to Build Bake Better we followed her brine-and-roast recipe that went viral before the holiday. Thank you, Madam Vice President.
We also whipped up a number of side dishes and desserts, the real stars of Thanksgiving. My husband and I spent hours in the kitchen together, finishing a wide variety of our favorites to keep us fed into early December.
It was a bit of normalcy in a year that’s been anything but kind to the status quo, but even more enjoyable than the meal was the making of it. It reminded me how lucky we are to have our health, our home and our happiness, a feeling that was only amplified by virtually connecting with family and friends afterwards.
That contentment carried into my December birthday, where in lieu of in-person celebrations loved ones shared their well wishes virtually and Amazon delivered their gifts. Not everyone has that opportunity, something that’s becoming clearer every day.
Moving into 2021, I’m working not to take that for granted – especially after Florida hit its grim milestone of one million COVID-19 cases Dec. 1. The pandemic isn’t over just because we’re over it.
Even with all of its challenges, 2020 has remained a remarkable year. As a community we’ve found new ways to stay connected with one another through tragedy and triumph.
That’s why in this issue we present the 20 Most Remarkable People of 2020 – 10 in Tampa Bay and 10 others in Central Florida – many of whom I’ve been fortunate enough to cover in the pages of Watermark this year. Each individual has demonstrated their commitment to making a difference, detailed in profiles written by fellow changemakers in their own lives.
In Tampa Bay, we begin with Rep. Michele Rayner, who earlier this year became the first Black, openly LGBTQ woman elected to the Florida Legislature. Next up is Larry Biddle of the Plus Project, which distributed nearly $55,000 in grants to worthy LGBTQ nonprofits.
Innovative entertainment takes center stage in our list, just as it did throughout 2020. Artists John Gascot, Chad Mize and Cam Parker each found ways to help others through their work, as did fan favorite drag performer Daphne Ferraro and Kayden Rodriguez, co-founder of the inaugural Tampa Bay Transgender Film Festival.
In a year that largely kept us apart, Chris Jones and Loralei Matisse helped our community safely come together via Come OUT St. Pete. Each person’s impact is detailed along with that of Karla Bello, who after her private mistreatment by Pinellas County officials publicly demanded change.
That fight for a better future continues in our news coverage. In Tampa Bay, the cities of St. Petersburg and Tampa each receive 100% in the Human Rights Campaign’s municipal equality index as Balance Tampa Bay raises funds for those in need. In Central Florida, the city of Orlando launches an HIV community survey.
Watermark strives to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. Please stay safe, stay informed and enjoy this latest issue.
