2018 WAVE AWARD WINNERS – CENTRAL FLORIDA

FAVORITE LOCAL POLITICIAN/ACTIVIST

First: Patty Sheehan, Orlando City Commissioner – District 4

Second: Buddy Dyer, Orlando Mayor

Third: Carlos Guillermo Smith, Florida House Representative – District 49

GREATEST STRAIGHT ALLY TO THE LOCAL LGBTQ COMMUNITY

First: Buddy Dyer, Orlando Mayor

Second: Anna Eskamani, Florida House candidate – District 47

Third: Darren Soto, U.S. House of Representatives – Florida’s 9th District

MOST EFFECTIVE LOCAL LGBTQ ORGANIZATION

First: Zebra Coalition

Second: One Orlando Alliance

Third: Metropolitan Business Association (MBA Orlando)

FAVORITE LOCAL LGBTQ SPORTS LEAGUE/ORGANIZATION

First: Orlando Pride

Second: Central Florida Softball League

Third: Gay and Lesbian Bowling League

FAVORITE LOCAL LGBTQ (FRIENDLY) WRITER/JOURNALIST

First: Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel

Second: Rick Claggett, Watermark

Third: Jeremy Williams, Watermark

FAVORITE LOCAL LGBTQ (FRIENDLY) WEBSITE

First: WatermarkOnline.com

Second: OICOrlando.com

Third: Bungalower.com

FAVORITE PLACE FOR A DATE NIGHT

First: Lake Eola Park

Second: Enzian Theater

Third: Disney Springs

FAVORITE CHARITABLE EVENT

First: Come Out With Pride

Second: Big Gay Brunch presented by OIC

Third: Hope & Help’s Headdress Ball

GAYEST LOCAL EVENT

First: Gay Days

Second: Come Out With Pride

Third:  Big Gay Brunch presented by OIC

FAVORITE LGBTQ BUSINESS NOT A BAR/CLUB (OVER ONE YEAR OLD)

First: Orlando Immunology Center

Second: Watermark Publishing Group

Third: Embellish FX

FAVORITE NEW LGBTQ BUSINESS (LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD)

First: The Glass Knife

Second: Southern Craft Bar

Third: Stewart Glenn Studio

FAVORITE LOCAL HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL

First: Edwin DeJesus, MD, FACP – Orlando Immunology Center

Second: Terry Wilder, ARNP – Orlando Immunology Center

Third: Rafeal Pinero, MD – Pinero Preventative Medical Care

FAVORITE LOCAL DENTIST

First: Michael Watkins, DMD – Watkins Dental Group

Second: Kenneth Pyle, DDS – Orlando Dental Group

Third: Tony Clement, DDS – Colonialtown Dental

FAVORITE LOCAL HAIR SALON

First: Split Endz Hair & Nail Salon

Second: Vamp Hair Studio

Third: Leslie Colleen Salon

FAVORITE LOCAL SPA

First: Massage Envy

Second: The Spa

Third: Club Orlando

FAVORITE FITNESS CENTER

First: Rock Hard Fitness

Second: Planet Fitness

Third: LA Fitness

FAVORITE LOCAL VETERINARIAN

First: Jim Martin – Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital

Second: Jason Palm – Hiawassee Vet Clinic

Third: Downtown Pet Hospital

FAVORITE PLACE TO PAMPER YOUR PET

First: Ranger’s Pet Outpost and Retreat

Second: Luna’s Pet Luau

Third: Sparky’s Pet Salon

FAVORITE LOCAL REALTOR

First: Christian Michaels -Premier Property Group

Second: Bobby Mills – Metro City Realty

Third: Anthony Consalvo – Florida One Real Estate

FAVORITE LOCAL AUTO SALESPERSON

First: Russ Fowler – Fields BMW of Winter Park

Second: Manny Sotomayor – Orlando MINI

Third: Fred Berliner – Mullinex Ford of Central Florida

FAVORITE LOCAL MALL

First: The Mall at Millena

Second: The Florida Mall

Third: Orlando Fashion Square

FAVORITE LOCAL WEDDING VENUE

First: The Venue

Second: Paradise Cove

Third: The Acre Orlando

FAVORITE LOCAL FLORIST

First: Lee James Floral Design

Second: In Bloom Florist

Third: Lee Forrest Design

FAVORITE AREA MUSEUM OR GALLERY

First: Orlando Museum of Art

Second: Orlando Science Center

Third: Mennello Museum of American Art

FAVORITE LOCAL FRAMING SHOP

First: Sam Flax

Second: Michael’s

Third: Framing of Central Florida

FAVORITE LOCAL LGBTQ (FRIENDLY) ARTIST OR PHOTOGRAPHER

First: Lee Vandergrift

Second: J.D. Casto

Third: Brendan O’Connor

FAVORITE RESTAURANT: UPSCALE

First: The Ravenous Pig

Second: Kres Chophouse

Third: Citrus Club

FAVORITE RESTAURANT: CASUAL

First: Hamburger Mary’s

Second: RusTeak Restaurant & Wine Bar

Third: Dexter’s

FAVORITE RESTAURANT: BREAKFAST/BRUNCH

First: Keke’s Breakfast & Cafe

Second: Hamburger Mary’s

Third: First Watch

FAVORITE RESTAURANT: LATE NIGHT DINING

First: Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria

Second: Santiago’s Bodega

Third: IHOP

FAVORITE LOCAL LGBTQ (FRIENDLY) CHEF OR CATERER

First: Chef Kevin Fonzo

Second: Trina Gregory-Probst – Se7enBites

Third: Michael Thomas – John Michael’s Exquisite Weddings and Catering

FAVORITE LOCAL HOTEL/B&B

First: Aloft Orlando Downtown

Second: Parliament House

Third: EO Inn

FAVORITE LGBTQ CLUB/BAR

First: Parliament House

Second: Southern Nights

Third: Stonewall Bar

FAVORITE LGBTQ-FRIENDLY STRAIGHT BAR/CLUB

First: Ember

Second: Independent Bar

Third: The Social

FAVORITE LGBTQ HAPPY HOUR

First: The Hammered Lamb

Second: Stonewall Bar

Third: Savoy

FAVORITE HOST FOR KARAOKE, TRIVIA OR BINGO

First: Miss Sammy, Twisted Sisters’ Bingo at Hamburger Mary’s

Second: Doug Ba’aser, Trivia at Hamburger Mary’s

Third: Lacie Browning, RuPaul’s Drag Race Viewing Party at Stonewall Bar

FAVORITE LOCAL BARTENDER/SERVER

First: Derek Keister, Parliament House’s Bear Den

Second: Taylor Bulloch, Stonewall Bar

Third: Michael Fender, Stonewall bar

FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMER: DRAG

First: Darcel Stevens

Second: Miss Sammy

Third: Lacie Browning

FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMER: STAGE

First: Blue Star

Second: Gidget Galore

Third: Michael Wanzie

FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMER: MUSICIAN

First: Taylor Bulloch

Second: Central Florida Sounds of Freedom

Third: Kaleigh Baker

FAVORITE LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY

First: Jim Philips – The Philips Phile on Real Radio 104.1

Second: Sondra Rae – Johnny’s House on XL106.7

Third: Moira – The Philips Phile on Real Radio 104.1

FAVORITE LOCAL TV NEWS ANCHOR

First: Jorge Estevez – WFTV

Second: Matt Austin – WKMG

Third: Justin Warmoth – WKMG

FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMING ARTS VENUE

First: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

Second: The Abbey

Third: The Venue

FAVORITE ADULT NOVELTY STORE

First: Fairvilla Megastore

Second: Mojoman Swimwear & Clothing

Third: Barcodes Orlando

FAVORITE STAYCATION SPOT

First: Cocoa Beach

Second: Universal Orlando Resort

Third: Walt Disney World

FAVORITE PLACE TO PICK UP A WATERMARK

First: Parliament House

Second: Stonewall Bar

Third: Orlando Immunology Center

WHO SHOULD BE ON THE COVER OF WATERMARK’S WAVES ISSUE?

First: Edwin DeJesus, Medical Director for Orlando Immunology Center

Second: Buddy Dyer, Orlando Mayor

Third: Lacie Browning, Central Florida Drag Queen

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