My first Watermark column was published Jan. 11, 2018, just one month into my role as Tampa Bay Bureau Chief. That means this issue marks four years of sharing my opinion here, which I now proudly get to do as Managing Editor, and I couldn’t be happier to still call these pages home.
Since much more than my job title has changed in the last four years, I decided to revisit my initial column for my first of 2022. I think having a firm grasp of what’s behind you is one of the best ways to prepare for what lies ahead, so with the new year it felt like the perfect time.
I’ll admit that I cleaned up a typo or two in the version on our website, which I’ll just call self-care, but I was happy to see that I still recognized its writer. There were references to Britney, Disney and Marvel, which as any reader of my column knows are still a few of my favorite things, and an appreciation for the loved ones I’m lucky to have in my life.
I wrote about my supportive husband, who made and makes my role here possible, our two shining examples of why dogs really are man’s best friend, my family and our group of friends who’ve earned the same title. I’m still thankful to have them all.
I was also happy to see that I shared some of my thoughts about my new position at Watermark, which followed nearly half a year of freelancing. Our team lives in two-week cycles here, moving from one issue to the next to cover the never-ending stories impacting our community, so it’s easy not to pause for some reflection. There have been a lot of those cycles since 2018, so revisiting my initial thoughts on joining Watermark’s staff was refreshing.
“In my new role as Tampa Bay Bureau Chief for Watermark (about which I’m ecstatic every day), I’ve finally found myself writing full time in 2018,” I wrote, reflecting on my lifelong dream. “And to top it off, I’m surrounded by a talented team of individuals with a dedication to the LGBTQ community, our allies and the stories we hold dear.”
It was refreshing because it’s how I still feel. I’ve never been prouder to be a part of what Watermark does as Tampa Bay and Central Florida’s LGBTQ news source, or to be doing it alongside such a hardworking team.
That’s all made possible because of the support we receive from advertisers and readers, so heading into the new year and well beyond it, I want to say thank you for empowering and trusting us to tell your stories. We have exciting things planned for 2022 and can’t wait for you to be a part of them.
I have no shortage of hopes for what the year will bring, but perhaps the biggest is that we can keep our community together throughout it. We can only do that by effectively combating COVID-19.
I’m thankful to have a federal strategy for doing so where one lacks statewide, and for elected officials in Tampa Bay who trust in science, but personal accountability is key moving forward. Every one of us needs to make sure that we get vaccinated, and that everyone we love does the same. It’s the only way to beat it.
Vaccines are available at no charge to every single person living in the U.S., and boosters – our best defense against variants after that – are readily available as well. Visit Vaccines.gov, text your zip code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233 to learn more.
Arguably more important than ever, our first issue of the year focuses on LGBTQ-inclusive health care. We review why it matters and what services are available from clinics throughout Tampa Bay and Central Florida, including local facilities like the Diversity Health Center, Empath Partners in Care, Love the Golden Rule and Metro Inclusive Health.
In news, we preview the delayed return of Sarasota Pride and check in with a Tampa-based production company seeking to highlight Ybor City’s drag community through film. Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services also unveil a new statewide resource for LGBTQ Floridians, replacing one recently removed under Gov. Ron DeSantis.
In arts and entertainment, Erasure’s Andy Bell reflects on the band’s latest album ahead of their tour stops in St. Petersburg and Orlando. Sara Davis Buechner, an inspiring pianist who is transgender, also talks upcoming performances with The Florida Orchestra and more.
Watermark strives to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. Please stay safe, stay informed and enjoy this latest issue – and year!
