Last year, due to the pandemic, our typical WAVE celebrations were altered. Instead of two big parties — one in Central Florida and one in Tampa Bay — to honor the winners, we set up a socially distanced, small gathering for them to safely come by, pick up their award and have their picture taken.
It was great to see everyone, but it just wasn’t the same. So this year we are excited that we were able to bring our celebrations back – which means first, we have to know who won.
So here you have it, your 2022 winners for the Watermark Awards for Variety and Excellence, which you know better as the WAVEs.
We asked you, our loyal readers, to tells us your local LGBTQ favorites in both Central Florida and Tampa Bay in more than 50 categories – including a few new ones this year – and you did not disappoint.
We had such a turnout that for the first time ever, our second round of voting consisted of the Top 5 nominees. Then we asked you to tell us your absolute favorites in each category in the final round.
Clicking through the links below, you will find your Top 3 from both Central Florida and Tampa Bay, as well as a few No. 1 favorites that we chose to highlight.
Congratulations to everyone who made it into the Top 5, another congratulations to those who came out in the Top 3 and a big congratulations to all our readers who have made this one of the biggest WAVEs ever.
Alright, we’ve held back long enough. To the winners!
Central Florida
Winner profiles:
Tampa Bay
Winner profiles:
