There was a lot to celebrate in 2019. But even with the amazing people, places and organizations of the last year, we still had a few tearful moments as we lost some special people in the community and said goodbye to a few safe spaces for LGBTQ individuals.
That’s why, as we queried about your favorites in the local LGBTQ community, we also asked you to tell us some of the people and places you will miss the most.
Many of you listed national and international celebrities like Doris Day, Toni Morrison, Rip Torn, Luke Perry, Valerie Harper and Cokey Roberts. Individuals who touched the hearts and souls of people from every walk of life and whose passing the world mourned together. Others listed not names, but titles of the people who meant the world to them like mom, dad, aunt, grandfather, son and friend. Individuals we may not know but by the names you call them we know the pain you go through every day.
There were several members of the LGBTQ community we lost in 2019 whose passing is still felt but their memories continue to live on in the charities, groups and organizations they started. Two names overwhelmingly mentioned by you were Carmella Marcella Garcia and Joel Strack.
Carmella, whose real name was George Timothy Reed, was a regular drag performer throughout Orlando for many years frequenting the stages at Parliament House, Southern Nights and Pulse. Her biggest legacy here in Central Florida was the creation of the Easter fixture Babes in Bonnets more than 20 years ago. Thanks to Carmella’s vision, Babes in Bonnets has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the LGBTQ youth of Central Florida since its beginnings and continues to do so to this day.
We lost Carmella on Oct. 15, 2019. She was 57.
Joel passed away on July 15, 2019 at the age of 59. Joel was an LGBTQ leader, activist and pioneer in Central Florida’s fight for equality dating back to the 1980s.
He was a pivotal player in helping to launch what is now known as Gay Day at the Magic Kingdom.
Joel also helped create Orlando’s first Pride parade and assisted in founding both the Orlando Gay Chorus and the Gay and Lesbian History Museum.
Central Florida said goodbye to several places last year that served as community gathering spaces. Dexter’s in Thornton Park and Hamburger Mary’s in Daytona Beach topped many people’s lists but one location topped more lists than any other — The Venue.
WAVE-winning performer, community leader and LGBTQ icon Blue Star opened The Venue in September 2012. While Blue originally launched The Venue to have a space for her own shows, in the years after it opened it became a home to the Central Florida burlesque community, a safe place for new artists to build their art and a catchall venue for LGBTQ organizations to hold events.
The Venue closed its doors in September 2019, seven years after it opened.
