It’s been over four years since I’ve gone “home,” which is what I instinctively call Ohio even after more than a decade of living in Florida. If you ask my mother it’s been a few lifetimes, though, so it may have been longer.
It’s not that I don’t want to visit. Ohio has a special place in my heart and always will. There’s a lot to love about the Buckeye State; it’s the birthplace of aviation and even an interesting Jent or two.
It also has my aforementioned mother, who I love very much and get all of my overdramatic tendencies from, and other family members and friends I’ve stayed connected with over the years. Not to mention some great local food, as proven by the 10 pounds I gain every time I head North.
Florida gets a bad rap, some of which is deserved – Ron DeSantis – but it’s just as much my home these days, especially since my husband and I just bought our first house. I love the Sunshine State, particularly given that I’m someone who could live the rest of his life without ever shoveling snow again.
Aside from getting to wear shorts on my birthday, something I’m still not used to but appreciate every December, this state has played a key part in connecting me with what I treasure most. It’s here that I met said husband and found our dogs, as well as my friends-turned-family and Watermark.
Writing full time has been my lifelong dream, and it’s something I’ve been fortunate enough to do for nearly four years here. I freelanced for the newspaper before that, and getting to serve our community as Tampa Bay Bureau Chief and, as of this issue, Managing Editor has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.
I’m thankful and try not to take it for granted, which can sometimes translate into not letting myself take any time off. I’ve earned it over the years and it’s encouraged, but you know what they say: “do what you love and you’ll work every day of your life.” Or something.
I’m happy to report that thanks to my Watermark family, that accumulated time off and the COVID-19 vaccine, I’ll be heading to Ohio around Labor Day. When this issue publishes in print and online, I’ll actually be in the middle of my visit – undoubtedly five pounds heavier and trying to convince my mother that I can’t stay.
It will be the second time I’ve visited Ohio with my husband but the first we’ve driven it together. It’s a 14-hour trek up I-75 that I swore I’d never make in a car again, but I’m looking forward to doing it with him. As one of those rare Florida natives, he’s never seen a lot of the route and I’m excited to be there when he does. For all of its pluses, Florida is pretty flat and mountains are very pretty.
More than anything, after a year of doing very little, doing something big feels even more overdue. It should be quite the adventure, made all the more memorable with our bountiful supply of Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer and masks. That’s still important since the pandemic continues ravaging Florida, in part thanks to DeSantis and his inability to lead.
It’s federal leadership that’s help us secure vaccines, making this trip home possible, and until I’m blue in the face, I encourage everyone to get vaccinated if you haven’t. Find a site near you at Vaccines.gov. There’s still inherent risk in this and any trip, but who doesn’t love to travel with a bit more peace of mind?
That’s one of the things we highlight in this issue, which includes a special travel section. It examines COVID-conscious locales that members of the LGBTQ community can visit.
As students head back to the classroom, we also check in with school boards in Tampa Bay and Central Florida about GSAs, or Gay-Straight/Gender-and-Sexuality-Alliances. They share how local LGBTQ youth are supported in these uncertain times and we also detail other resources at their disposal.
In Tampa Bay news, St. Petersburg mayoral candidates Ken Welch and Robert Blackmon advance to November’s general election after the city’s primary. Tampa Bay’s longest-running professional theatre company also welcomes nonbinary artist Paul Edward Wilt as its associate artistic producer, a newly created position at American Stage.
In Orlando, activists prepare for the National Trans Visibility March, which returns to the ground this October. In State news, Equality Florida announces that two of its staff will serve on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights’ Florida Advisory Committee.
TampaRep’s upcoming LGBTQ-focused production of “Open” takes a magical spotlight in arts and entertainment. We also log into Netflix to discuss the new animated series “Q-Force” with its co-creator.
Watermark strives to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. Please stay safe, stay informed and enjoy this latest issue.
