Toward the end of each year, Watermark highlights local, unsung heroes who have gone above and beyond to show with action just how remarkable they are.
Being the LGBTQ news source in Central Florida and Tampa Bay for almost 30 years, we know that there is no shortage of remarkable people in the community who are doing remarkable things all the time, so it can prove to be a difficult task.
After much discussion, we managed to get that list down to the 10 we needed — 5 in Central Florida and 5 in Tampa Bay — and what a list it is. It is filled with local leaders, politicians, entertainers, artists and more; heroes who stand up for, love and honor our LGBTQ community.
For each remarkable person, we asked someone in the community who knows them to write a profile expressing why they feel the person is remarkable. You can read more about each individual below.
If you would like to find a print issue while it is still available, you can check out our distribution map here. Congratulations to each of of this year’s honorees for on a truly remarkable 2022.
CENTRAL FLORIDA
Maxwell Alejandro Frost, U.S. House of Representatives-elect, District 10
Andrea Montanez, Hope CommUnity Center LGBTQ Immigration Coordinator
Michael Slaymaker, Orlando Youth Alliance Chief Executive Officer
Keri Griffin, Orlando VA LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Program Coordinator & Special Emphasis Program Manager
Will Larkins, Central Florida student and LGBTQ activist
TAMPA BAY
Nicole Berman, St Pete Pride Executive Director
Rocky Butler, 9 Colors Initiative Founder
Roger Capote, CAN Community Health Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer
